Toolkit Launched to Advance Open Research Practices, Accompanied by Online Event  

• February 7, 2025

The UK Reproducibility Network (UKRN) has launched the Recognising and Rewarding Open Research Toolkit. This is a new and comprehensive resource to help universities and research organisations in implementing recognition and reward for open research through researcher assessment practices. 

The Toolkit has been developed by the Open and Responsible Researcher Reward and Recognition Project (OR4), a key initiative within UKRN’s Open Research Programme. This programme aims to accelerate the adoption of open research practices across the UK Higher Education sector.  The toolkit provides a maturity framework, a self-assessment tool, and guidance for institutions seeking to integrate open research recognition into their researcher assessment processes. It has been created with input from members of the OR4 Community of Practice, which includes 50 UK institutions, 14 of which are committed to providing case studies that will feature in the toolkit. 

It is hoped the toolkit will make a significant contribution to the global movement for research assessment reform by supporting academic institutions to effectively incentivise and reward responsible open research practice. 

Who Should Use the Toolkit? 

The Toolkit is tailored for institutional leaders, policy-makers, and other stakeholders involved in the development and implementation of policies that promote open research. It provides a strategic resource for those responsible for advocating and implementing recognition and reward mechanisms within researcher assessment processes. Additionally, it serves as a valuable reference for managers and administrators who oversee the ongoing support and evaluation of these initiatives. 

Scope and Purpose 

The toolkit is designed to guide institutions in incorporating recognition and reward for open research into their researcher assessment practices. It covers a wide range of activities, including researcher recruitment, probation, promotion, performance reviews, and internal funding processes. By aligning these activities with the principles of responsible research assessment, such as those outlined in the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA) and the Agreement on Reforming Research Assessment, the toolkit helps institutions recognize the full breadth of researchers’ contributions, particularly those related to open research. 

Contents and Features of the Toolkit 

The Toolkit includes several key components: 

• Maturity framework and self-assessment tool: This tool enables institutions to evaluate their current policies and practices, facilitating internal discussions, planning, and progress measurement. 
• Implementation guide: This useful guide provides detailed, practical advice on assessing institutional maturity, planning, and implementation. The toolkit is designed to be dynamic, with ongoing updates and new case studies to be added throughout the duration of the OR4 project, which will continue until 2027. 

About the OR4 Project 

The OR4 project sits at the intersection of open research culture development and research assessment reform, providing a framework that supports the effective recognition of diverse researcher activities and outputs. As institutions across the globe seek to align their assessment practices with responsible research principles, the OR4 Toolkit offers an invaluable resource for driving meaningful change. 

For more information and to access the Toolkit, please visit  https://recognition.ukrn-openresearch.ac.uk/.