I have always believed that research in the built environment carries responsibility. The questions we ask, the assumptions we accept and the evidence we prioritize ultimately shape how buildings perform and how people live within them. I began volunteering as a peer reviewer because I have always believed that research does not exist in isolation. It shapes practice, influences policy and ultimately affects how buildings perform and how people live in them. As a researcher and practitioner working at the intersection of building science, sustainability and emerging technologies, reviewing the work of others felt like a natural extension of my professional responsibility.
Two years ago, I moved from Iran to Canada to pursue new trends and advances in my field. This transition was not only geographic; it was intellectual and professional. Entering a new academic and professional ecosystem pushed me to reassess how knowledge is produced, evaluated and applied. Volunteering as a peer reviewer particularly with organizations such as CIBSE became one of the most meaningful ways for me to stay connected to global research conversations while contributing constructively to them.
My experience reviewing papers for the CIBSE Technical Symposium exposed me to a wide range of topics, from equity and representation in the buildings sector to indoor environmental quality, AI-driven design feedback systems and net-zero performance strategies. What made this work especially rewarding was not simply assessing technical accuracy, but helping authors clarify their arguments, strengthen their methodologies and better articulate the real-world implications of their research. In many cases, small but precise feedback can significantly improve the clarity and impact of a study.
The most rewarding aspect of volunteering as a reviewer has been the sense that I am helping to shape the direction of research, even in subtle ways. Construction and sustainability are fields where poorly framed research questions or weak assumptions can lead to ineffective solutions. By challenging these early constructively and respectfully, I feel I am contributing to a more important and impactful body of knowledge that can better serve industry and society.
Volunteering has also had a direct impact on my own development. Reviewing cutting-edge research keeps my knowledge current and continuously pushes me to learn. It has strengthened my critical thinking, improved my own academic writing and influenced how I approach my professional and research projects. By reviewing others’ work, I also improve my own understanding.
For anyone considering volunteering for the first time, my advice is simple: do not underestimate the value of your perspective. You do not need to have all the answers to make a meaningful contribution. What matters is a willingness to engage critically, fairly and with the intention of improving the work in front of you. Volunteering takes time, but it also gives back through learning, connection and the opportunity to play a small but important role in advancing our profession. As our industry faces increasingly complex environmental and social challenges, thoughtful peer review will only become more critical. I see volunteering not as a side activity, but as an essential part of shaping research that is capable of meeting those challenges.
If you are interested in volunteering with CIBSE, check our current opportunities.