‘Coalition of the willing’ wants to evaluate research differently

A group of more than 350 parties, from more than 40 countries: universities, alliances and funders, including the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), the Dutch Research Council (NWO), Universities of the Netherlands (UNL) have agreed to evaluate research differently. This 'coalition of the willing for reform of research evaluation' has adopted an agreement formulated under the leadership of the European University Association (EUA), Science Europe and the European Commission. Through the 'core group', the Open Science programme of Utrecht University has contributed to the realization of this agreement, partly due to the earlier experiences of UMC Utrecht with the redesign of research evaluation.

In 2021, the EU DG Research and Innovation conducted a survey that resulted in a so-called 'Scoping Report'. In that report, it became clear why and how research evaluation could be adapted so that it would enhance the quality and impact of research. From January 2022, a growing number of parties joined forces to formulate a concrete plan to jointly tackle the implementation of new ways of research evaluation in the coming years.

The agreement sets a course for changes in the assessment of research, with the aim of increasing its quality and impact. The central idea is that the diversity of outputs, practices and activities that contribute to the quality and impact of research should be recognised in its assessment. This requires a qualitative approach, in which peer review is central.

Scientific organisations and universities can join the coalition from September onwards. This movement will become a platform where there is room for the development of new assessment methods and instruments, reflection and the exchange of good practices. All organisations involved will remain autonomous in this process. The pace at which institutions implement changes may therefore differ.

I believe in a research culture that recognises a diversity of contributions to science and society.