Decentralized Science (DeSci) is getting a lot of attention lately, and ResearchHub is leading the charge. They're using crypto payments to pay peer reviewers, which could change the game in scientific research. Let’s dig into how ResearchHub is using crypto to shake things up, the obstacles they face, and what it might mean for DeSci as a whole.
Getting Paid for Peer Reviews
ResearchHub has a pretty cool idea: they pay peer reviewers in cryptocurrency. This is great news financially for many, including São Paulo molecular-biology consultant Pedro Paulo Gattai Gomes. He now makes more from reviewing papers for ResearchHub than he did at his prior academic jobs. He reviews about 15 papers a month, getting $150 worth of ResearchHub’s ResearchCoin (RSC) for each one. As Gomes put it:
“Getting paid to review is justice, because in my opinion it is very unfair to work voluntarily and not even receive a thank you.”
This kind of pay structure fits nicely with the DeSci mission of rewarding those who contribute, making the scientific community more inclusive and motivated.
Cashing Out the Crypto
Now, before we get too excited, there are downsides. The biggest one is getting the RSC converted into cash. Reviewers have to go through decentralized exchanges like Uniswap to swap RSC for more accepted cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (BTC), Ether (ETH), or USD Coin (USDC). Then they can send it off to a centralized exchange to get cash. A bit of a hassle, right?
But ResearchHub is working on it. As of November 29, RSC is on Gate.io, which is a centralized exchange, so it should be easier to change it into cash.
Making Life Easier for Users
ResearchHub isn't just sitting back. They’ve been paying referees to review, comment, or vote on uploaded preprints since May 2023. Users can tip good work or pay others to do research-related tasks, like generating data for a review. Authors pay a $1,000 article-processing charge, and ResearchHub keeps a 7% cut of any ResearchCoin transactions on the site, putting 2% back into the community.
Criticism and Roadblocks
But it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. There are some criticisms. Nature, a highly respected scientific journal, has said that while ResearchHub addresses some issues in science, it might not catch on widely because it’s "radical." Some scientists might find it a hassle to cash out RSC for cash, despite the easier steps.
Plus, ResearchHub Journal hasn't published any of its own papers and isn't indexed on big bibliometric databases like Web of Science or Scopus. This could make it harder for researchers who need those metrics for their careers.
The Bigger Picture of DeSci
DeSci is starting to look like a solution to many of the issues plaguing traditional research. It tackles funding bottlenecks, data silos, and restricted access to research. Using blockchain and crypto tech, DeSci pushes for transparency and collaboration.
ResearchHub is a solid example of how DeSci can change the game. They’re paying peer reviewers and allowing real-time collaboration, challenging the traditional academic publishing model. Their use of cryptocurrency not only rewards contributors but also makes the review process clear and fair.
The Bottom Line
ResearchHub’s use of cryptocurrency to pay peer reviewers is a groundbreaking change in decentralized science. There are hurdles to overcome, like cashing out crypto and getting acceptance in the scientific community, but the potential benefits are huge. By making the review process less exclusive and compensating contributors fairly, ResearchHub is setting up a more transparent scientific ecosystem. As DeSci grows, platforms like ResearchHub will be key in shaping the future of research.
