How to Find the Energy and Environmental Science Number of Reviewers

If you are submitting a manuscript to Energy & Environmental Science (EES) and need to know the “number of reviewers,” the direct answer is that the journal does not publish a public list or count. The handling editor selects referees based on expertise, and the number of reviewers per manuscript typically ranges from two to three, though this can vary. The information you actually need—how to check review status or suggest reviewers—is found in the journal’s submission system and author guidelines.

Where to Find Reviewer Information in the Submission System

The primary place to see reviewer activity is the online submission portal used by the Royal Society of Chemistry, which publishes EES. After you submit a paper, the system shows a status log. This log may indicate when reviewers have been invited, when they have accepted, and when reports are submitted. However, it does not display the total number of reviewers the journal has on file or a running count for your paper.

To access this, log into the portal and locate your manuscript. The status column usually shows phrases like “Under Review” or “Reviewers Assigned.” Clicking on the manuscript ID often reveals a more detailed history, including dates of reviewer invitations and reminders, but it does not list reviewer names or exact counts unless the journal shares that data. The Royal Society of Chemistry’s author guidelines explain the peer review workflow, but they do not provide a public reviewer database.

How the Journal Selects Reviewers

The editorial team selects reviewers based on their published work, expertise in the paper’s topic, and availability. The number of reviewers assigned depends on the complexity of the subject, the availability of qualified referees, and the editor’s judgment. For most manuscripts, the editor invites two to three reviewers. If a reviewer declines or does not respond, the editor may invite additional reviewers. This means the total number of reviewers who see your paper can be higher than the number who ultimately submit reports. The journal’s peer review policy states that reviewers remain anonymous unless they choose to sign their report.

What Authors Can Do to Influence the Reviewer Pool

When you submit a manuscript, the system usually asks you to suggest potential reviewers. You can recommend up to three or four experts in your field. You can also list reviewers you prefer to exclude, such as direct competitors or collaborators. The editor may or may not use your suggestions. The Royal Society of Chemistry’s submission guidelines provide details on how to format these suggestions correctly.

Checking the Status of Your Manuscript’s Review

After submission, the status changes as the manuscript moves through the editorial process. Here is what the typical statuses mean:

• With Editor: The manuscript is with the handling editor, who decides whether to send it for review.
• Reviewers Assigned: The editor has invited reviewers. This does not mean all have accepted.
• Under Review: At least one reviewer has accepted the invitation and is working on the report.
• Reviews Completed: All invited reviewers have submitted their reports.

The system does not show the exact number of reviewers who accepted or the number of reports received. If you need more detail, you can contact the editorial office, though they usually do not provide the exact count.

Example of a Typical Timeline

A paper submitted to EES might follow this timeline:

1. Day 1: Submitted. Status: “With Editor.”
2. Day 5: Status changes to “Reviewers Assigned.” The editor invites three reviewers.
3. Day 10: Two reviewers accept. Status changes to “Under Review.”
4. Day 25: One reviewer submits a report. The other reviewer has not responded.
5. Day 30: The editor invites a third reviewer to replace the non-respondent.
6. Day 45: All reports are received. Status changes to “Reviews Completed.”

In this example, the paper had three reviewers invited, but only two submitted reports. The journal does not show this breakdown publicly. You would only see the status changes.

Key Takeaways

• The journal does not publish a public “number of reviewers” list or a count of reviewers per paper.
• The submission system shows status updates but not the exact number of reviewers invited or who accepted.
• You can suggest reviewers during submission, but the editor makes the final selection.
• The typical number of reviewers per manuscript is two to three, but this can vary.
• For specific questions about your manuscript’s review status, contact the editorial office directly.