The Metric Tide Revisited

As part of FRAP (The Future Research Assessment Programme), an expert panel has been invited to lead a review of the role of metrics in research management and assessment. This review, The Metric Tide Revisited, will take a short, sharp, evidence-informed look at current and potential uses of metrics against a set of tightly-defined objectives to: Revisit the conclusions and recommendations of the last detailed review of these questions, The Metric Tide (2015), and assess progress against these. Consider whether developments over recent years in the infrastructures, methodologies and uses of research metrics negate or change any of those 2015 conclusions or suggest additional priorities. and look afresh at the role of metrics in any future research excellence framework and consider whether design changes now under consideration as part of the FRAP suggest similar or different conclusions to those reached in 2015. The review was conducted over the Summer, and will be completed mid-September so we await with interest the published outcome.

What lies ahead for research assessment reforms in Europe?

In June 2022, the Council of the European Union gave the green light for a European Agreement on research assessment reforms to go ahead. Plans for this initiative were proposed in a European Commission scoping report in 2021. Under the Agreement, research actors across European member states (including research performing organizations, funders, and national or regional assessment organizations) will be invited to sign up voluntarily and pledge their commitment to translate principles outlined in the report into local assessment reforms. Read the full post here.