CoARA and research assessment

Source: https://www.unipd.it/en/coara-research-assessment Parent: https://www.unipd.it/en/coara

CoARA and research assessment

The adoption of CoARA commitments is the most recent development in a decade-long process of reflection on research assessment. In 2012, the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA) [GA1] proposed initial recommendations to reduce the misuse of bibliometrics. In 2015, then, the Leiden Manifesto defined ten principles for the responsible and conscious use of bibliometric indicators. Not only are the practices of research assessment being transformed, the evaluation of researchers is also undergoing many changes. The SCOPE framework offers a five-stage model for responsible assessment of research personnel.

In 2023, the European Commission introduced the European Competence Framework for Researchers (Research-Comp)[GA2] , a tool created by the European Commission to support the development of research staff skills throughout their career path.

The University of Padova's commitment to promote research and its evaluation began before joining CoARA. From 2021 to 2023, the University coordinated WP 3 of the European project Arqus R&I [GA3] , stimulating discussions on the best practices to promote alternative approaches to assessment (AAA - Alternative Assessment Approaches). The University of Padova CoARA’s activities also act in partnership with other initiatives, such as the University Open Science Commission, which aims to enhance Open Science practices within research assessment and valorisation processes.

The University also actively promotes the principles and foundations of the new European Charter for Researchers, a document designed to promote a more inclusive and sustainable research environment in Europe and that stresses the central role of career development and responsible assessment. As a research institution credited by the European Commission with the HR Excellence in Research seal, the University of Padua has completed the implementation of its 2017-2019 and 2021-2023 Action Plans. The University is currently engaged in implementing the new 2024-2026 Action Plan.

International Research Office

via Martiri della libertà 8, 35137 Padova\ email: coara@unipd.it