New perspectives in research assessment: good practice from Italy and Spain 

The current issue of ‘DUZ Spotlight – Good Practice International’ focuses on the discussion of a reform of research assessment. Until now, publication figures or third-party funding have been the main indicators of successful research performance. In view of global challenges such as climate change or technological transformation, this is no longer appropriate. Examples from Italy and Spain show how things can be done differently. 

Under the title ‘Research evaluation – topics and methods for more impact’, Isabel Roessler, Senior Project Manager at CHE, analyses international approaches and their potential to focus more on qualitative criteria in the assessment of research. 

Examples from Italy and Spain show how the integration of aspects of the third mission – including knowledge and technology transfer as well as social commitment – can achieve a more differentiated assessment in the context of state funding allocation. For example, when assessing the third mission activities of Italian universities, they submit one case study per 100 researchers to demonstrate the impact of projects. The number of public events organised and the number of participants, such as children’s universities or Long Nights of Science, are also systematically surveyed. 

In Spain, too, new evaluation criteria have been in place since 2018, which record the transfer achievements of researchers. Elements such as the entrepreneurial culture of research training, for example through the establishment of start-ups or spin-offs, play a greater role. 

Both of the above-mentioned example countries take up the discussion that research is not limited to science, but also has social benefits.  

‘The discussion about research assessment is groundbreaking for the future of universities, their orientation and their profiles. It is about the fundamental objectives of science and its role in society,’ emphasises Isabel Roessler. Initiatives such as the European Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment (CoARA) or the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA) show that reforms are gaining momentum worldwide. 

The publication also sheds light on the challenges associated with the introduction of new assessment models. In Germany, the federal structure and the traditionally dominant base funding could serve as obstacles, but also as opportunities. Targeted political measures, such as the specific inclusion of third mission as an assessment aspect within the performance-oriented allocation of funds and the associated adaptation of individual university strategies, could open up new ways of combining social expectations and academic excellence. 

The article was published on 13 December as part of issue 12/2024 of DUZ Magazine and was written by Isabel Roessler. The ‘Research Assessment’ dossier is the 15th edition of the ‘DUZ Spotlight – Good Practice International’ format developed jointly by CHE and DUZ, which is published at irregular intervals in DUZ and on www.che.de.