Decentralizing the Peer Review Workflow Using Smart Contracts for Transparent Scholarly Communication

Abaye Manasseh Munamieye; May Stow; PhD

doi:10.56201/ijcsmt.vol.12.no1.2026.pg33.46

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Decentralizing the Peer Review Workflow Using Smart Contracts for Transparent Scholarly Communication

Abaye Manasseh Munamieye, May Stow, PhD

Abstract

This study presents a blockchain-based framework designed to decentralize the peer review workflow and strengthen transparency, credibility, and accountability in scholarly communication. Traditional peer review systems are often constrained by opacity, editorial bias, and manipulation risks, which undermine trust in academic publishing. To address these challenges, the proposed model integrates smart contracts, decentralized storage, and an immutable distributed ledger to automate review governance, ensure tamper-proof manuscript tracking, and provide verifiable decision-making processes. Prototype system implementations including manuscript submission interfaces, dashboard views, and blockchain operation screens demonstrate the feasibility and functional efficiency of the framework. Findings indicate that decentralized peer review significantly reduces human-driven bias, prevents editorial interference, and enhances trustworthiness by enabling open, auditable review histories. The study affirms blockchain as a viable technological foundation for creating a transparent, fair, and resilient scholarly publishing ecosystem.

Keywords

BlockchainPeer ReviewScholarly CommunicationSmart ContractsDecentralizationTransparency.

References

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Decentralizing the Peer Review Workflow Using Smart Contracts for Transparent Scholarly Communication

Abstract

Keywords

References

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