The co-creation process supporting the introduction of changes to assessment practices for researchers and organizations, aimed at maximizing the quality and impact of research, ended with the drafting of the final version of an Agreement.
This joint effort – launched in January 2022 at the European level – involved 350 public and private research funding organizations from 40 countries, which formed a Coalition to work together more effectively. Italy is involved in the initiative through 23 organizations, including universities, research centres and foundations.
The Agreement includes the principles, commitments and timeframe for reforms and lays out the principles for a Coalition. Specifically, the reform movement underpinned by the Agreement offers a platform for the development of new assessment criteria, methods and tools and for critical reflection, exchange of good practices and mutual learning, while fully respecting the autonomy of the participating organizations. Supported by the work of the Coalition, organizations will decide on the steps to take to implement the commitments, depending on the strategic goals of each organization.
The collection of signatures to the Agreement will be launched on 28 September at the European Research and Innovation Days 2022 during a plenary session on reforming research assessment. The “Constitutive Assembly”, the first meeting of the General Assembly of the Coalition of signatories, is expected to take place in late autumn 2022.
Signatories will commit to a common vision,which is that the assessment of research, researchers and research organizations should recognize the diverse outputs, practices and activities that maximize the quality and impact of research. This requires basing assessment primarily on qualitative judgement, for which peer review is central, supported by responsible use of quantitative indicators.
Final version of the Agreement
Source: European Commission
