The Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment (CoARA) WG Co-Chairs Forum 2024, held on 11th September in Helsinki, marked an important moment for advancing discussions on the future of research assessment. Hosted by the Federation of Finnish Learned Societies in collaboration with CoARA, this event brought together key voices from around the world to share insights, highlight progress, and explore emerging fairways of Responsible Research Assessment (RRA). Representing Natalia Manola, CEO of OpenAIRE and co-chair of the Working Group (WG) ‘’Towards Open Infrastructures for Responsible Research Assessment’’, I had the opportunity to present the progress of the WG Open Infrastructures for RRA and contribute to the collective conversation on shaping fairer, accountable and more transparent strategies.

OpenAIRE’s Role in Advancing Open Infrastructures Fit for RRA

During the forum, OpenAIRE’s focus was on advocating for open infrastructures as a vital foundation for responsible research assessment. Alongside Clifford Tatum (CWTS, Leiden University) also co-chair of the working group, we emphasized the importance of transparency, accountability, coverage, interoperability, inclusivity and community governance in open infrastructures fit for RRA.

These themes resonated with the broader goals of the forum, underscoring the growing recognition that open, community-driven systems are crucial to supporting fair and accountable research assessment worldwide.

Synergies Across the Working Groups

During the forum, significant emphasis was placed on identifying synergies and overlapping themes among the different WGs. The discussions highlighted the interconnected nature of our work, with many groups focusing on topics such as language inclusivity, responsible metrics, and the need for diverse and equitable research assessment practices. WGs explored how multilingualism and language biases impact research evaluation, while others emphasized the importance of developing inclusive metrics that recognize a broad range of research outputs, regardless of language or discipline.

A recurring theme across the WGs was the call for open infrastructures, ethical data use, and the alignment of assessment systems with societal and institutional changes. These shared priorities underscored the need for collaboration between WGs, as their collective efforts could significantly enhance the effectiveness and reach of their initiatives. By recognizing these common goals, the forum set the stage for more integrated approaches to reforming research assessment on a global scale.

Adopting and Reviewing Working Group Outputs

Another important focus of the forum was the process for adopting and reviewing WG outputs. The framework discussed involves a transparent review process. This includes feedback from CoARA members and stakeholders before final approval. The aim is to ensure that WG contributions are rigorously assessed and effectively integrated into broader institutional reforms. This structured approach to adopting WG outputs ensures that they align with CoARA’s principles of inclusivity and transparency while promoting practical outcomes that can be implemented across various research institutions.

Global Expansion of CoARA Membership

The forum also highlighted the continued global expansion of CoARA’s membership. New members in 2024 included countries such as Greece, Serbia, Panama, Nigeria, and Tanzania, further extending the coalition’s influence. Countries like Spain, Italy, Poland, and France remain strong contributors to the coalition’s growing membership base.

This global growth is a testament to the increasing recognition of the need for responsible and inclusive research assessment reform. As more countries join CoARA, it reflects a broader consensus on the importance of transparent and fair evaluation practices in the global research community.

Moving Forward with Collective Momentum

The WG Co-Chairs Forum 2024 was a valuable opportunity to exchange ideas and strengthen collaboration across WGs. OpenAIRE’s contribution on open infrastructures provided a clear direction for how research assessment can become more transparent, inclusive, and accountable.

As CoARA continues to grow and more institutions join the coalition, the work ahead will focus on refining and implementing the ideas discussed at the forum. While there is still much to be done, the momentum behind these reforms is building, and the collaborative efforts showcased at the forum provide a strong foundation for the future of research assessment.