A Call for a System-level Approach to Embed Open Research Practices and Advance Responsible Research Assessment

Presenter: Simone O’Rourke

Project Manager of the NORF-funded ABOARD project

Abstract

This lightning talk will present the findings of the ABOARD project to date. The project focuses on the importance of a system-level approach, and an alignment of both national and institutional policy to successfully embed open research practices and advance the reform of research assessment in the Irish research eco-system. The findings show that there is a universal call from all key stakeholder groups for a more harmonized policy approach and a strong desire to achieve alignment. This is supported by data that shows strong support for, and agreement with, the principles of Open Research and Responsible Research Assessment and a clear ambition to meaningfully embed Open Research practices, both from researchers themselves and from Irish Research Funding Organizations (RFOs).

The latter group is particularly aware of their dual role in driving Open Research and responsible assessment principles: by adopting responsible research assessment practices in their own decision-making processes on the one hand, and by incentivizing, supporting and facilitating Open Research practices across the Irish research landscape on the other. At the same time, there is a clear message from the research community that this should be achieved through incentivization – not enforcement – and that it should not generate significant administrative workloads for researchers. All researcher cohorts and the RFOs indicated strong support for joined-up infrastructures, and solutions to the issues arising from transitional Open Access agreements, which often result in high costs for researchers and institutions.

The findings also indicate a call for more diverse Indicators that value, recognize and thereby incentivize open and transparent research practices, and that also reflect and encourage diverse research outputs, public engagement and evidence-based policy making.