We are excited to announce the launch of a new national resource for the Responsible Use of Research Metrics (RURM). This initiative is dedicated to promoting fair and responsible research assessment practices and is designed to support researchers, institutions, and policymakers in adopting responsible approaches to research evaluation.
The official launch of the RURM resource will take place at 11 a.m. on 31 March at the Museum of Literature Ireland (MoLI). This event marks a significant milestone in advancing research culture in Ireland.
About RURM
The RURM project is funded by the National Open Research Forum (NORF) and has been co-designed by researchers from:
- University College Dublin (UCD)
- Dublin City University (DCU)
- University College Cork (UCC)
- Technological University of the Shannon (TUS)
This collaboration aims to drive best practices in research assessment and embed responsible research metrics (RRM) into academic and institutional policies.
The pilot phase involves online training in RURM for individuals engaged in research recruitment, assessment, and promotion. The RURM training module is an Open Educational Resource (OER) that researchers, educators, and policymakers can access after completing a simple registration process.
Key Features of the RURM Training Module:
- Co-designed with researchers to ensure relevance and accessibility
- Developed in accordance with Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles
- Open to students, faculty, technical staff, and research administrators
- Pilot-tested across multiple disciplines and career stages
- Refined based on participant feedback to ensure scalability and adoption
To gain further insight into the RURM initiative, watch the project video, now available on the UCD Research Culture YouTube playlist. This video can be embedded on institutional websites and shared across social media platforms to raise awareness about responsible research assessment.
Why This Matters
Ireland needs a standardised infrastructure for training the research community in the responsible use of research metrics. By fostering an inclusive and system-wide approach, the RURM project aims to:
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- Enhance awareness and adoption of responsible research metrics
- Ensure fair and equitable research assessment practices
- Support career progression and recognition of diverse research contributions
