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Peer-Review Mentorship Program launched
If a mentee submits several successful reviews, they may be invited to become an independent reviewer.
The scheme links new peer-reviewers with mentors to build their skills.

A peer-review mentorship program has been launched to support potential peer-reviewers with building their skills.

The program will connect those wishing to become peer-reviewers with an experienced mentor to guide them with improving their skills and progressing their personal development.

The initiative is being led by Veterinary Evidence, an online, open access, peer-reviewed journal published by RCVS Knowledge. The journal aims to improve quality of care by publishing content on evidence-based veterinary medicine and its application in veterinary practice.

Mentors and mentees can register to join the peer-review program, after which they will be partnered up based on their reviewing interests. They will then be assigned a relevant paper by Veterinary Evidence to work through together across three weeks.

The mentee will be guided through the peer-reviewing process, with the mentor providing them with feedback. The combined review can then be submitted.

If the mentee submits several successful reviews, the editor-in-chief may invite them to become an independent reviewer for Veterinary Evidence.

The initiative aims to improve diversity and inclusivity, and encourages reviewers of differing disciplines and backgrounds to apply.

Veterinary Evidence hopes that this will build a broader range of perspectives and expertise in the process, and improve the quality of evidence-based content.

Kit Sturgess, editor-in-chief of Veterinary Evidence, said: “Becoming a mentee is a great way to continue your professional development as it allows you to contribute to the advancement of your field, hone your critical evaluation skills, and boost your own professional reputation.

“Signing up to become a mentor gives you an invaluable chance to enhance your own skills, knowledge and professional development, build meaningful relationships within your area of expertise, and help shape the next generation of veterinary peer reviewers.”

To register, sign-up to RCVS Knowledge’s peer-review scheme and send them an email at editorial@veterinaryevidence.org saying whether you’d like to be a mentor or mentee.

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New guidelines published for wildlife disease surveillance

News Story 1
 A set of international guidelines for disease surveillance in wildlife has been updated for the first time since 2015.

Released by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and the World Organisation for Animal Health, General Guidelines for Surveillance of Diseases, Pathogens and Toxic Agents in Free-ranging Wildlife is designed to help wildlife authorities and others working with wildlife carry out effective surveillance programmes.

The document, which cover areas including choosing appropriate strategies, safety and biosafety protocols, and ethical and legal considerations, can be read here.  

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Restricted zone extended after more bluetongue cases

After three new cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 were detected along the Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire border, the restricted zone has been extended.

The zone now includes Buckinghamshire and part of Berkshire, as well as Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, City of Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, East Sussex, Essex, Greater London, part of Hampshire, Hertfordshire, Kent, part of Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, part of Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, Suffolk, Surrey, and West Sussex.

Susceptible animals in the restricted zone should only be moved if it is essential. A specific licence is needed to move a susceptible animal from within the restricted zone to outside of the zone.

Bluetongue is a notifiable disease. Suspected cases must be reported on 03000 200 301 in England or 03003 038 268 in Wales. In Scotland, suspected cases should be reported to the local field services office. In Northern Ireland, suspected cases should be reported to the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or by contacting the local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.

A map of the areas where restrictions apply can be found here.