Responsible Research Assessment Working Group
“Responsible research assessment refers to approaches to assessment that incentivise, reflect, and reward the plural characteristics of high-quality research, in support of diverse and inclusive research cultures.”
Our mission
Facilitate and support the adoption of RRA globally by promoting a collective understanding of responsible approaches to research assessment, learning through collaboration, and openly sharing good practices to guide collective advancement.
Our vision
GRC participant organisations (and the organisations they fund) embed approaches to assessment that incentivise and reward the diverse attributes of research excellence in support of a better, healthier research culture that support rigorous research undertaken to the highest standards.
Our objective
Position the GRC as a leading voice on the promotion and implementation of RRA in the international research and innovation system to help build a diverse and inclusive research culture.
The working group's mission, vision and objectives are outlined in the Action Plan, which serves as the foundation for the group's activities.
Current Activities
1. Dimensions of Responsible Research Assessment
GRC-participating organisations asked for a framework for responsible research assessment; a set of 11 dimensions was developed to articulate the funders’ vision of RRA. This can be used by funding agencies to understand where to embed principles of responsible research assessment and assessment reform.
See also Dimensions of Responsible Research Assessment.
2. Survey
The Research on Research Institute (RoRI) project ‘A Global Observatory on Responsible Research Assessment’ and the GRC RRA working group held a survey to assess the scope of RRA practices among GRC participants. The survey ran from 27 May 2024 to 6 January 2025. This survey built on previous work delivered by RoRI, who set out the state of play in 2020 (see below for more information).
Results will be presented during the Annual Meeting 2025. In case of any questions about the survey, you can contact us at GRC-RRA@ukri.org.
GRC participant organisations are invited to complete the survey. For additional guidance please see the following resources:
- Recording of a guidance webinar on completing the survey
- Frequently Asked Questions document
If you wish to participate and have not received an invitation, or if you have any other queries about the survey, you can also contact us at GRC-RRA@ukri.org.
Outputs from the survey
High-level findings will be shared at the GRC Regional meetings, and a full working paper will be published and shared at the GRC Annual Meeting in 2025. All outputs will be made available on this website.
3. Case studies
Coming soon…
We will be collecting case studies in line with the Dimensions of RRA to:
- Share how funders have implemented and embedded RRA.
- Extend the knowledge base where gaps and barriers persist.
GRC Participants are invited to submit case studies to the working group at GRC-RRA@ukri.org by using the Case Study Submission Template.
4. Self-assessment tool and supporting roadmap
Coming soon…
The upcoming tool will leverage the international and broad perspective of members from the working group and beyond to ensure that it includes a range of elements that can be tailored to the local context in which it is used. This self-assessment tool will be complemented by a roadmap that provides guidance on how funders can make systemic change, overcome obstacles, and implement RRA practices.
Events
GRC Annual Meeting 2024
At the GRC Annual Meeting in May 2024 (Interlaken, Switzerland) we launched the 11 Dimensions of RRA and the GRC RRA survey. We also shared our case study framework, and took the opportunity to explore links between the conference topic of sustainability and RRA. A recording of the session is available.
We also presented a poster that outlines our work to date and details our plans.
About the Group
In May 2021, GRC participants agreed take concrete actions to incentivise and fulfil RRA ambitions. A new GRC RRA Working Group was established to support participant organisations in their progress towards these goals.
The RRA working group comprises 25 members from 23 organisations across the globe. The group’s membership includes representation from every region of the GRC, ensuring a worldwide perspective and outreach among global funders.
Members of the Group
The Working Group is co-chaired by:
- Dr. Mohammed A. Al-Shamsi, KACST, Saudi Arabia
- Shawn McGuirk, NSERC, Canada
See also the full list of Working Group members and contributors.
Background
In November 2020, UKRI, UK in collaboration with the NRF, South Africa, and the UK Forum for Responsible Research Metrics delivered a GRC Virtual Conference on Responsible Research Assessment.
Prior to the conference, RoRI launched a working paper on ‘The changing role of funders in responsible research assessment: progress, obstacles and the way ahead’. The paper sets out the state of play regarding responsible research assessment, exploring what it means and outlining existing principles and frameworks in the space. It also presents the findings from a survey of GRC participant organisations on their own RRA policies and practices carried out in September 2020.
At the 9th GRC Annual Meeting in May 2021, a Conference Summary Report was published and the GRC endorsed a Call to Action that called on participant organisations to embed existing RRA principles and take concrete action to incentivise and fulfil RRA ambitions.
It is based on these activities, that the GRC RRA working group takes forward its action.
Contact
If you would like to know more about the activities of the GRC Responsible Research Assessment Working Group, please contact GRC-RRA@ukri.org.