Research assessment reform: broader set of contributions and metrics for higher quality and impact

The EU High-Level Presidency Conference on Reforming Research Assessment, held on 3 and 4 December in Copenhagen, has concluded with a shared commitment to transform the way we evaluate research, researchers and research organisations. 

The event, organised under the Danish EU Presidency and supported by the European Commission through the Horizon Europe programme, brought together leading voices from science, research and innovation institutions to shape the future of research assessment reform.

The European Commission is supporting efforts to modernise research assessment. It works collectively with the Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment (CoARA) to assist organisations in their reform journey and to support joint experimentation with changed assessment criteria, tools and processes.

Accompanying the main event were several side events, including a special gathering to mark the third anniversary of CoARA. This anniversary event brought together leading voices to discuss how CoARA’s principles can continue to guide research assessment reform in a rapidly evolving environment.

The European Commission's guiding framework for research assessment reform is anchored in key policy documents, such as the Communication "A New ERA for Research and Innovation”, the Council Recommendation on the Pact for Research and Innovation in Europe>, and the European Research Area Policy Agenda adopted by the Council of the EU in May this year.