Photo: CoARA website
An extensive co-creation exercise throughout the first half of 2022 that gathered the interests and perspectives of 350+ organisations from over 40 countries led to the publication of an Agreement on Reforming Research Assessment on 20 July.
The Agreement on Reforming Research Assessment sets a shared direction for changes in assessment practices for research, researchers and research performing organisations. The goal is to broaden the diversity of recognised research outputs and activities, thus maximising the quality and impact of research. The Agreement includes the principles, commitments, and a timeframe for reforms, and lays out the principles for a Coalition of organisations willing to work together in implementing the changes.
To enact this reform, a coalition of willing organisations will be established. This coalition aims to be an inclusive and collaborative space, offering a platform for pilots and experiments to develop new criteria methods and tools, and space for the exchange of good practices and mutual learning.
This ‘Coalition on Advancing Research Assessment (CoARA)’ will be established before the end of 2022 by organisations that have signed the Agreement. This week, at a high level session of the EU R&I Days, the collection of signatures will be officially opened through the launch of the CoARA website. The session will take place on Wednesday, 28 September at 17:45 CEST (Brussels times) with Mariya Gabriel (Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth), Sylvie Retailleau (French Minister for Higher Education and Research), Marc Schiltz (President of Science Europe), Paul Boyle (Vice-President of the European University Association - EUA), and Anna Panagopoulou (Director of European Research Area & Innovation in the European Commission).
Since the publication of the Agreement text this summer, organisations wishing to be early signatories of the agreement have been expressing their commitment to the initiative. Alongside the launch of the CoARA website and the official opening of signatures, organisations committed to be early signatories will be showcased.
More details about the EU R&I Days.
This article was first published on 27 September by EUA.