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 objectives
- Position the GRC as a convening space for RRA within the international research and innovation system.
- Strengthen the GRC’s role as a leading voice on the promotion and implementation of RRA.
- Support the advancement of RRA to foster a more 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. Fostering a shared understanding: the dimensions of Responsible Research Assessment
GRC-participating organisations requested a framework for responsible research assessment, which led to the development of 11 dimensions that articulate the funders’ vision of RRA. This framework helps funding agencies identify where to embed principles of responsible research assessment and assessment reform. In addition, it informs the working groups' activities.
For more details, see Dimensions of Responsible Research Assessment.
2. Survey
The working group partnered with the Research on Research Institute (RoRI) through its project ‘A Global Observatory on Responsible Research Assessment’ (AGORRA), to survey GRC participants on their RRA practices during 2024. Building on a first survey conducted by RoRI in 2020, this second survey provides fresh insights into RRA practices.
The headline finding of the survey was that while research assessment among GRC-participating funders remains strongly focused on conventional and long-established modes of evaluating scholarly quality, principles of RRA are of considerable and increasing importance. The results are available in the full report (DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.28856480).
In case of questions, please contact us at GRC-RRA@ukri.org or reach out to the RoRI team at hello@researchonresearch.org.
3. Enhancing RRA practices: RRA Case studies
To help funders adopt more RRA practices, the working group published the GRC Responsible Research Assessment Case Studies (2025) booklet and Case Study Digital Library, which showcase how implementation can align with the 2024 Dimensions of RRA. These case studies are designed to complement existing RRA practice libraries (such as those offered by DORA or CoARA) and together serve as a global reference for funders exploring ways to integrate the 11 dimensions of RRA into their processes.
GRC Participants are encouraged to continue submitting case studies to the working group to raise awareness of evolving practices and facilitate mutual learning and collaboration. Please submit your case study/studies to GRC-RRA@ukri.org using the Case Study Submission Template.
4. Guiding action: an RRA Self-Assessment Tool for Funders
The Responsible Research Assessment Self-Assessment Tool (2026) supports RRA implementation at research funding organisations by helping them embed the 11 Dimensions of RRA into their policies, processes, and decision-making.
Implementation of these dimensions is translated into five implementation stages and a self-assessment questionnaire that aim to help funders position themselves in their journey toward implementing RRA practices while recognising the diversity of funders across the global funding landscape. Accordingly, the tool has been designed to be adaptable to different local contexts and organisational priorities.
As funding organisations pilot the self-assessment tool and continue to share feedback with the RRA WG, the tool will remain evergreen and be updated until the 2027 GRC Annual Meeting. The working group welcomes comments from the community to maximise its usefulness.
5. Operationalizing implementation: A practical guide to implementing RRA at research funding organizations
The working group partnered with DORA and Science Europe to create the Practical guide to implementing responsible research assessment at research funding organizations (2026). Launched ahead of the 2026 GRC Annual Meeting, this guide supports actionable next steps to implement RRA practices by providing concrete examples and real-world case studies. To ensure alignment with global trends, users should consider using both this guide and the RRA Self-Implementation Tool to inform strategic planning actions toward implementing more responsible research assessment 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.
GRC Annual Meeting 2025
At the GRC Annual Meeting in May 2025 (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia) we launched the full survey report and the case study booklet and digital library.
GRC Annual Meeting 2026
At the GRC Annual Meeting in May 2026 (Bangkok, Thailand) we launched the RRA Self-Assessment Tool and the Practical Guide to Implementing Responsible Research Assessment for Research Funding Organizations. Both products were jointly released in advance of the Annual Meeting.
About the Group
In May 2021, GRC participants agreed to 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 30 members from 23 countries 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:
- Nosisa Dube, NRF, South Africa
- 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.