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Reforming research assessment – perspectives from the global North and South
Year of Publication : 2025
Language : en
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Abstract (English) : On Thursday, 9 October 2025, the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) and the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) co-hosted the webinar titled “Reforming Research Assessment – Perspectives from the Global North and South.” The webinar highlighted the essential role that science academies play in advancing the science, technology, and innovation (STI) value chain by providing advice on societal priorities, recognizing excellence, and convening diverse stakeholders. Central to these efforts was reforming research assessment to promote evaluation practices that emphasize quality, openness, equity, and meaningful societal impact. Prof Himla Soodyall, the Executive Officer at ASSAf directed the proceedings. The panel of experts who shared insights on current research assessment practices and reforms, particularly focusing on open science were: Prof Ludo Waltman (Universiteit Leiden), Dr Karen Stroobants (Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment (CoARA), Prof Sioux McKenna (Rhodes University), Dr Yensi Flores-Bueso (Global Young Academy), and Emeritus Prof Daya Reddy (University of Cape Town). After the panel presentations, Mrs Susan Veldsman of ASSAf moderated the panel discussion during which the audience engaged with the expert speakers. Challenges highlighted during the discussion included reviewer fatigue, systemic dependency on flawed metrics, the need to engage diverse evaluators and emerging scientists, and the benefits of integrating open science principles into research assessment frameworks. Highlight recommendations summarised by Prof Stephanie Burton from ASSAf in her closing remarks included recognizing the diversity of research contributions beyond traditional quantitative metrics; prioritizing qualitative peer review supported by responsible, contextual use of quantitative indicators; avoiding inappropriate reliance on journal-based metrics; and moving away from university rankings that can incentivize unhealthy competition and skew research priorities. The event advanced ASSAf’s Service to Society objectives through inclusive collaborations between the Global North and South, recognising that meaningful reform requires context-sensitive, inclusive, and transparent assessment policies. ASSAf and KNAW are committed to continuing their collaboration to foster dialogue and drive concrete reforms, aiming to build stronger, fairer, and more impactful research assessment systems. Countries: Algeria, Benin, Botswana, Burundi, Chile, Czechia, Ethiopia, France, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Lithuania, Mali, Mauritius, Netherlands, Nigeria, South Africa, United States of America, United Kingdom, Zimbabwe
Description : 1 video; MP 4; Duration: 2:08
Contributor ORCIDs : Soodyall, Himla 
; Waltman, Ludo ; Stroobants, Karen ; McKenna, Sioux ; Flores-Bueso, Yensi ; Reddy, Daya ; Veldsman, Susan
; Waltman, Ludo ; Stroobants, Karen ; McKenna, Sioux ; Flores-Bueso, Yensi ; Reddy, Daya ; Veldsman, Susan Publisher : Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)
Resource URL(Other) : https://youtu.be/I03E4aYJ72s?si=-lwbn7B_sg8jLHh2
Peer Review Status : Non-Peer Reviewed
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