Scipinion

Last updated
Scipinion
Company type Private
Founded2014;11 years ago (2014)
Headquarters
Bozeman, Montana
Website scipinion.com

SciPinion is an organization specializing in scientific peer review services. Founded in 2014, SciPinion provides expert review services through a network of subject matter experts using a modified Delphi methodology. The organization aims to reduce uncertainty in scientific decision-making by providing decision-makers with expert scientific opinions derived from an objective process. [1] [2]

Contents

History

SciPinion was founded in 2014 by Sean Hays, PhD and Chris Kirman and is headquartered in Bozeman, Montana. Both founders had extensive backgrounds in scientific consulting, particularly in toxicology and chemistry, with over forty years of combined experience. Hays has published over 100 peer-reviewed publications in toxicology, risk assessment, and exposure assessment, and has served on EPA advisory committees including the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC). [2] The organization was established to address challenges they had identified in scientific decision-making processes, specifically the uncertainty caused by limited access to experts and the lack of systematic, objective methods for consolidating expert input. [1]

After identifying these issues, Hays and Kirman developed SciPinion with the objective of aggregating collective expertise from leading scientists to reduce uncertainty in both public and private sector decision-making. The company built a technological platform designed to minimize bias and negative influences that can affect discussions of controversial scientific topics. This platform was created to provide experts with a psychologically safe environment for sharing their insights. [3]

Overview

SciPinion specializes in peer review services for scientific research. The organization maintains a network of tens of thousands of subject matter experts who conduct reviews of scientific materials. SciPinion works with researchers, scientific organizations, and other entities requiring scientific peer review services. [1]

Mission and Purpose

SciPinion's stated mission is "to introduce clarity and certainty from the expert community to the world's toughest science problems, instilling universal trust in science." The organization aims to provide objective scientific insights to key decision-makers by leveraging its network of scientific experts and proprietary technology platform. According to SciPinion, this approach helps reduce uncertainty and facilitates more rapid and informed decision-making on a global scale. [1]

The company emphasizes adherence to high ethical and professional standards in its operations. SciPinion's primary focus is on creating a system that allows for the collection and consolidation of expert scientific opinions while minimizing potential biases that can influence scientific discourse. [3] The organization describes its purpose as becoming "the most trusted source for understanding the collective wisdom of the world's experts and the go-to resource for companies and organizations seeking independent input from the scientific community." [2]

Methodology

SciPinion employs a modified Delphi process for conducting scientific peer reviews. This methodology is designed to produce reproducible and trusted results in scientific evaluation. The organization utilizes proprietary technology to facilitate the review process and manage its network of scientific reviewers. [4]

In 2019, SciPinion's methodology was described in a peer-reviewed publication in the journal Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology titled "Science peer review for the 21st century: Assessing scientific consensus for decision-making while managing conflict of interests, reviewer and process bias." The paper outlines SciPinion's approach to scientific consensus building and peer review, focusing on methods to manage conflicts of interest and reduce various forms of bias in the review process. [5]

Features and Services

SciPinion offers several key services and features:

Recognition

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Inspector General published a report in 2022 that compared SciPinion's peer review process with the EPA's FIFRA Science Advisory Panel (SAP) process. The report acknowledged that SciPinion's process met or exceeded the EPA's process in every point of comparison. [6]

Organization

As of 2025, SciPinion's leadership team includes:

Notable Projects

SciPinion has been involved in several scientific advisory projects, including:

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "About SciPinion". SciPinion. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 "SciPinion - Truth in Science". Truth in Science. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
  3. 1 2 "Minimize Bias and Influence". SciPinion. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
  4. 1 2 "Peer Review Process". SciPinion. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
  5. ↑ Hays, S.M., Kirman, C.R., Suh, M., & Proctor, D.M. (2019). Science peer review for the 21st century: Assessing scientific consensus for decision-making while managing conflict of interests, reviewer and process bias. Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology, 103, 73-85.
  6. ↑ U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Inspector General. (2022). The EPA's Office of Pesticide Programs Needs to Improve Its Processes for Updating Human Health Benefits and Impacts Information. Report No. 22-E-0053.
  7. ↑ Carlander, U., Bachler, G., Bouquest, J.-L., Campagnolo, L., Cartus, A.T., Enright, H.A., Emond, C., Guichard, R., Heusinkveld, H., Hirn, S., Houck, K., Jonker, M.J., Krewski, D., Makhova, L., Mansouri, K., Mucs, D., Neivandt, D.J., Nikitovic, D., Nyffeler, J., Owen, S., Price, O.T., Rasmussen, K., Robinson, R.L., Rossi, F., Sauer, U.G., Sjöström, M., Snyder, S., Ulrey, A., Wijnhoven, S.W.P., Willighagen, E.L., Zhu, H., Verheijen, M., Grafström, R., Kirman, C., Kreyling, W.G., Deves, G., Sachana, M., Gerloff, K., & Korenstein, R. (2024). Panel recommendations for facilitating physiologically based pharmacokinetic models for nanomaterials – potential ways forward. Nanotoxicology, 18(1), 69-84.
  8. ↑ Kirman, C., Hays, S., Arnold, S., Albertini, R., Bailey, L., Bus, J., Lamb, J., Maier, A., & Proctor, D. (2024). Derivation of no significant risk levels for three lower acrylates: Conclusions and recommendations from an expert panel. Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology, 147, 105509.
  9. ↑ Hays, S.M., Becker, R.A., Javorka, S.J., Kirman, C.R., Meek, M.E., & Pottenger, L.H. (2022). Best practices for exposure model peer review - A SciPinion advisory panel report. Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology, 134, 105263.
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