Since you asked for "unconventional" suggestions about referees, etc.: why not slightly increase page charges so that overworked scientists (especially "juniors") could get paid a nominal fee for reviewing papers? I have a feeling that this would reduce turnaround time.
Stephen Riley, Ph.D. Fisheries Consultant 310 5th Avenue East Prince Rupert, B.C. V8J 1R9 CANADA [log in to unmask]
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