The 'gift' of feedback

Abstract

In February 2024, the European journal of legal studies (EJLS) worked on a presentation entitled 'Responding to Peer Reviewers' for the Editing a Law Journal Course at the European University Institute. During this presentation, we advised EUI Law researchers and fellows on the ideal ways to respond to peer review feedback. While preparing for this presentation, we learned more about the significance of feedback and how it should not be taken for granted. We came across a the following quote by Jim Trinka and Les Wallace describing feedback in the following terms: 'Feedback is a gift. Ideas are the currency of our next success. Let people see you value both feedback and ideas.' At the EJLS, we have seen that feedback may provoke strong emotions. Sometimes, feedback given during the review process appears to be incorrectly viewed as a personal attack rather than constructive comments destined to improve the submission. Sadly, this may be a psychologically natural response in many human beings.