May 31, 2023.
Crue Spanish Universities, the National Agency for Quality Assessment and Accreditation (ANECA) and the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) are preparing the presentation of a proposal for a Spanish Chapter of Spanish institutions in the Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment (COARA).
The aim is to create a collaborative space in which Spanish entities interested in the reform of research assessment can share ideas, good practices, experiences, and knowledge, taking into consideration the specificities of the Spanish context. Up to now, more than 70 Spanish entities have expressed their interest in joining this national initiative.
The call requires that the proposal for the creation of a National Chapter be supported and articulated by at least half of the CoARA members from the proposing country. The detailed proposal for the Spanish Chapter, prepared jointly by the proposing entities, must be submitted before June 6 for approval.
About CoARA
The Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment CoARA, promoted by the European Commission, Science Europe and the European Universities Association (EUA), is an initiative based on a collaborative and shared learning approach to promote new assessment procedures. To date, more than 500 organizations have joined, of which almost 60 are Spanish: Crue, around thirty universities, ANECA and various evaluation agencies, CSIC, Institute of Health Carlos III ISCIII (a research funding, regulatory and executing body), public and private research organisations, scientific societies, and research associations, among others.
Adherence to CoARA is an autonomous decision of each entity that commits to define its own action plan within one year and implement activities intended to advance research assessment in the following four years.
Crue and assessment reform
Crue Spanish Universities joined CoARA last November, committing to following up and informing its associated universities about the progress of the coalition’s lines of work. Crue also participated in the Constituent General Assembly of this coalition, held on December 1, during which Rianne Letschert, rector of the University of Maastricht, was elected Chair.
Last January, Crue and the Ministry of Universities launched the National Forum for the reform of research assessment, in an event held at the University of Barcelona, and in which Letschert gave the inaugural conference. This forum was launched with the aim of becoming a space for joint work and reflection with all the universities where they can share ideas and good practices on the reform of research assessment, since university institutions are a backbone of the science, technology and innovation systems, as well as generators of 70% of the scientific production carried out in Spain.
