This week, on 17 November from 15:00 to 18:00, UniLiON organised its annual event, in Brussels.
The topic of discussion was dedicated to university-led initiatives that aim to modernise assessment in higher education with a holistic approach (education, research, societal impact), the European agreement to reform research assessment CoARA, and the implications of these changes on issues such as international recognition, academic freedom, and autonomy.
YERUN Secretary General, Silvia Gómez, participated in the panel discussion together with Christian Ehler (MEP) Anna Panagopoulou (Director for European Research Area and Innovation, Directorate A- DG Research and Innovation chez European Commission), Lidia Borrel (Science Europe) and Stephane Berghmans (EUA).
YERUN had the opportunity to bring up again the ongoing practices from member institutions, as highlighted in this publication, that are embarking upon the reform of academic assessment. In relation to the CoARA initiative, 9 YERUN members in addition to YERUN have signed the agreement and are looking forward to participating in the initiative.
Agreeing on rethinking academic careers assessment practices on the basis of the common principles as included in the published agreement of CoARA will not be enough. “Real change only happens when it becomes common practice within academic communities”, as pointed out in one of the ongoing national initiatives on assessment reform led in Norway (NOR-CAM “A toolbox for recognition and rewards in academic careers”. Implementation and new ways of working among the signatories of the coalition will be key. Read here how YERUN sees the implementation and what aspects are proposed to be considered.
