@twsh You can check the spec:

> Does it matter that the channel and item don't have dates?

Date in both channel and item is optional (though normally everyone has it, so maybe some RSS reader assume it's required).

https://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification#requiredChannelElements

https://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification#ltpubdategtSubelementOfLtitemgt

> Am I right that I should have a guid for the item which is also a doi.org URL?

All it needs is a unique string. I think doi is fine.

https://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification#ltguidgtSubelementOfLtitemgt