Best Reviewer for Journals of the Urban Affairs Association

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The Journal of Urban Affairs (JUA) and the Journal of Race, Ethnicity and the City (JRE), publish approximately 130 articles a year. These articles emerge from a rigorous review process of more than 800 submitted manuscripts. To further encourage prospective reviewers and to recognize the contributions of exceptional reviewers, UAA has created an annual award to recognize the best manuscript reviewers for JUA and JRE. The reviewers play the essential role of evaluating the quality and relevance of each manuscript. Each year, a committee made up of JUA/JRE editorial team members will report the top five (5) reviewer finalists for the previous 3 volume years. From this group, a top reviewer will be identified.

Eligibility Requirements
Award Benefits
Selection Process
Eligibility Requirements

All reviewers who have completed manuscript reviews during the previous three volume years are automatically eligible.  For example, for the academic year 2025-2026 awards cycle, only reviewers who completed at least one review during the 2023, 2024, 2025 volume years would be eligible.  Reviewers do not need to apply for this award. All reviewers will be identified through the review performance records maintained within the ScholarOne manuscript submission system. 

Award Benefits

The top reviewer will receive:

  • An international announcement of the award
  • A special award plaque
  • A complimentary conference registration waiver and 1 ticket for the Wednesday Night Opening Reception. The registration waiver must be used for the conference at which the award is presented.
  • Acknowledgment on the UAA Awards webpage.

The four remaining finalists will receive:

  • An international announcement of the award
  • An award certificate
  • A 50% conference registration discount. The discount must be used for the conference at which the award is received.

Acknowledgment on the UAA Awards webpage.

Selection Process

Each year a committee created by the Chair of the UAA Governing Board, ranks the top five (5) manuscript reviewers from among the eligible pool for all UAA journals. Committee members are drawn from the JUA and JRE editorial teams and UAA membership.  The committee chair reports the decision to the UAA Executive Director. The UAA Executive Office notifies the recipients.