Responsible research assessment

DORA and CoARA are complementary initiatives that promote responsible research assessment. Through DORA, UniDistance Suisse endorses internationally recognised principles that encourage the evaluation of research on its intrinsic merits and the recognition of diverse scholarly contributions. By signing the Agreement on Reforming Research Assessment of CoARA, UniDistance Suisse further commits to implementing and advancing these principles as part of an international coalition of universities, research organisations and research funders engaged in research assessment reform. The Agreement promotes assessment approaches based primarily on qualitative judgement, supported by the responsible use of quantitative indicators, while encouraging organisations to develop concrete measures that strengthen fair, transparent and meaningful evaluation practices.

This endorsement is a natural extension of our strategic goals and reflects the broader mission of UniDistance Suisse to advance accessible, excellent education and research. Committed to building a research culture that values quality, openness, and societal relevance, UniDistance Suisse aims at being at the forefront of best practices in research assessment. In line with its commitments under DORA and CoARA, guidelines are currently being developed to ensure that the principles of responsible research assessment are applied within evaluation committees on hiring, nomination, and promotion of researchers.

As a member of CoARA, UniDistance Suisse will further develop its approach to responsible research assessment through an institutional Action Plan and through participation in international exchanges of good practices and collaborative initiatives dedicated to research assessment reform. The institution is also involved in activities related to the Swiss CoARA community.