How Can Someone Without a Degree Get Peer-Reviewed?

When you submit a manuscript to a respectable journal, your formal qualifications do not make any difference. I know someone who started publishing biophysics papers with her father when she was 14 and began attending biophysics conferences to present talks.

I have published papers several times with undergraduates who had not yet graduated and technically had only completed highschool. It's not uncommon to find first authors who are still in highschool. My current collaboration includes a paper that is being revised with a colleague and his highschool son. This experience highlights the importance of credentialism in the scientific community.

The Path to Scientific Peer-Review

One learns to be a scientist and a researcher through a system of apprenticeship. In this academic journey, the candidate is screened for potential background and experiences before beginning. The journey involves various stages, including the acquisition of knowledge through formal courses and the guidance of a mentor or a committee of mentors. Milestones are established to determine the satisfactory completion of specific criteria for advancement.

The training process can be visualized as climbing a pyramid. As one progresses, the number of successful climbers decreases until only a few can reach the top. This advanced apprenticeship generally takes five to seven years, and sometimes even longer. Researchers with advanced degrees often obtain additional training after a doctorate to further refine their skills.

The Rare Achievement Without a Degree

It is rare, and almost impossible, for a person without an academic degree or research experience to communicate new knowledge in a peer-reviewed journal. This is akin to a playground basketball player playing in the NBA. I would imagine that a genius could quickly master the academic environment and provide new insights that are acknowledged by scientific peers.

As noted earlier, the general training period for a doctorate is five years, plus or minus one or two years. Some exceptionally talented individuals may achieve this level of expertise in two to three years. The idea of being able to publish in peer-reviewed journals without years of training is daunting and almost unimaginable in my experience.

However, there are instances where young students or even individuals without formal degrees can publish valuable insights. Such instances challenge the prevailing credentialism in the scientific community and highlight the importance of recognizing talent and potential over mere academic qualifications. In today's diverse and interconnected world, the traditional path to peer-review is evolving, and we should remain open to innovation and new voices in the scientific community.