The Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment (CoARA) is a collective of organisations committed to reforming the methods and processes by which research, researchers, and research organisations are evaluated. Current research assessment methods rely heavily on publication-based metrics such as citation counts, and often fail to recognise the wide array of contributions made by researchers.

Over 700 research organisations, funders, assessment authorities, professional societies, and their associations have agreed on a common direction and guiding principles to implement reform in the assessment of research, researchers, and research organisations, outlined in the Agreement on Reforming Research Assessment published in July 2022 which provides an outline for reform and implementation.

The vision of CoARA is to recognise the diverse outputs, practices, and activities that maximise the quality and impact of research through an emphasis on qualitative judgement in assessment, for which peer review is essential, supported by the responsible use of quantitative indicators.

CoARA’s mission is to enable a systemic reform of research assessment within a set timeframe, based on a common set of principles and commitments. Through collaborative action, exchange of knowledge, and mutual learning, CoARA aims to support all members in adopting and refining more inclusive and effective assessment practices.

KNEU is among the first 50 signatories of the agreement and coalition members from around the world. On September 28, 2022, as part of the European Research and Innovation Day 2022, the official presentation of the Agreement on the Reform of Research Assessment (ARRA) and its opening for signature took place with the participation of Mariya Gabriel (Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth), Sylvie Retailleau (French Minister for Higher Education and Research), Lidia Borrell-Damián (Secretary General of Science Europe), Paul Boyle (Vice-President of the European University Association – EUA), and Anna Panagopoulou (Director of European Research Area & Innovation in the European Commission). KNEU was represented at this event as one of the first signatories.

The official launch of CoARA took place during the first meeting of the General Assembly of Coalition members on December 1, 2022.

COARA web-site