Fagfelle

Fagfelle is a term used in Norwegian to describe a person who has comparable professional qualifications and expertise within the same field as another professional. In practice, a fagfelle is a peer who can assess work, practice, or standards from an informed and professional perspective. The concept underpins fagfellevurdering, or peer review, a process used to evaluate the quality, validity and relevance of research, professional outputs, or proposals.

In academia and research, fagfeller are typically scholars or specialists with relevant expertise who review manuscripts, grant applications, theses, or performance assessments. The goal is to ensure scientific quality, methodological soundness, and overall integrity. Procedures vary by institution and field, but common elements include selection by an editor or committee, assignment to one or more fagfeller, provision of written evaluation reports, and a final decision by the editor or committee informed by the reviewers’ recommendations. Confidentiality and disclosure of potential conflicts of interest are standard requirements.

A fagfelle acts as an independent expert, offering constructive critique, suggestions for improvement, and verification of claims. Reviewers are generally expected to be objective, avoid sharing confidential information, and refrain from actions that could bias outcomes. While the term is most commonly encountered in Norwegian-language scholarly contexts, it aligns with the broader international concept of peer review, where qualified professionals assess the work of their peers to maintain quality and credibility in the field.