Strengthening CoARA and Enabling Systemic Reform of Research Assessment - A Booster

Research assessment plays a crucial role in research systems, but current practices prioritize quantitative metrics and publications without recognising the diversity of research outputs or open science practices.

To address these issues, international initiatives have emerged, and the EU European Research Area Policy Agenda for 2022-2024 includes a specific action (Action 3) on Reform the Assessment System for research, researchers and institutions.

In 2022, the EC, Science Europe, and the European University Association facilitated the development of the Agreement on Reforming Research Assessment, which emphasises qualitative evaluation based on peer review and responsible use of quantitative indicators, and discourages the use of inappropriate metrics and rankings. 423 organisations signatories to agreement decided to constitute the Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment (CoARA) to make progress on ten commitments within a five-year timeframe.As an enabler deeply rooted in the CoARA structure, the CoARA Boost project will strengthen the ramp-up of CoARA, enhancing the operational capacity and providing means to investigate and implement new models for research assessment.

By amplifying its spectrum of actions and providing the additional capacity to implement a Cascade funding programme, CoARA Boost will allow to develop a critical mass for reforming research assessment, generate gravitas for new members and facilitate the leveraging of additional sources of funding.

The overarching objective of the CoARA Boost Project is to contribute to enabling systemic reform of research assessment following the principles and commitments of the Agreement on Reforming Research Assessment.

CoARA Boost will i) strengthen CoARA’s operational capacity, ii) catalyse knowledge development, policy evolution and institutional change in research assessment, iii) facilitate collection and exchange of information and iv) widen the Coalition’s membership in Europe and beyond.