Our judges have chosen the three finalists for the 2025 UX award! They are eLife, Cambridge University Press and MyFrontiers. Congratulations to our three finalists!

Find out more about their applications:

eLife

In 2023, eLife launched a new publishing model that ends the accept/reject decision after peer review and focuses instead on the public review and assessment of preprints. 

Usability testing of the first papers published in this model – called Reviewed Preprints – showed that many readers still assumed they were revised and “accepted” before publication, and it wasn’t easy to tell the difference between versions. 

Surveys and prototype testing led to improved communication of the status and version of article pages. They helped with making the public reviews and Assessments easier to find, and information about the model easier to understand. 

Cambridge University Press

At Cambridge University Press we offer three main platforms for hosting academic content: Cambridge Core (academic books and peer reviewed papers), Cambridge Higher Education (HE) (textbooks), and Cambridge Open Engage (early research and preprints). While these platforms are distinct, our data shows they often attract similar personas (students and academics) seeking a variety of academic content. 

Recognising the need for a seamless way to discover content across platforms, we introduced a significant change: the “Discover Content” feature. This cross-platform search feature, now integrated across all three platforms, benefits users by simplifying navigation and efficiently connecting them to diverse materials, enhancing their experience and productivity. 

MyFrontiers

MyFrontiers 2.0 changed the way a user interacts with Frontiers. Researchers now have a comprehensive overview of all manuscripts they are authoring, editing or peer-reviewin. Beyond that, researchers can explore opportunities to participate in publishing projects in their area of expertise. The platform provides intuitive navigation and reduces reliance on emails, enhancing efficiency and engagement. Continuous feedback from interviews, surveys, and data drives iterative updates, ensuring the platform aligns with user needs. This user-centered approach empowers researchers to seize opportunities and contribute effectively.