UEFISCDI’s Openness Researcher Profile Pilot: Advancing Research Assessment in Romania
UEFISCDI’s Openness Researcher Profile Pilot: Advancing Research Assessment in Romania https://opusproject.eu/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/uefiscdi.png 1000 500 Open and Universal Science (OPUS) Project https://opusproject.eu/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/uefiscdi.pngOn September 11, 2024, Ioana Spanache (Science Policy & Research Assessment Expert) and Alina Irimia (Open Science Coordinator) from UEFISCDI presented insights into Romania’s pioneering pilot to develop an Openness Researcher Profile (OP). This initiative, part of the GraspOS Community of Practice, aims to reshape how researchers’ contributions are recognized and aligned with global Open Science (OS) and research assessment reforms.
UEFISCDI’s Strategic Role in Romanian Research
As Romania’s primary competitive research funder and policy advisor, UEFISCDI oversees the BrainMap platform, a national hub connecting over 62,250 researchers, innovators, and entrepreneurs. Key responsibilities include:
- Funding high-quality research projects through national/international calls.
- Advising ministries on education, research, and digitalization policies.
- Promoting Open Science (OS) and Responsible Research Assessment (RRA) through initiatives like CoARA and the OPUS project.
Objectives of the Openness Researcher Profile Pilot
The pilot seeks to integrate OS practices into researcher evaluations while aligning with CoARA commitments and EU standards. Key goals include:
- Designing a template for the OP within BrainMap, incorporating:
- Narrative CV elements (e.g., summaries, achievements).
- Dedicated sections for OS contributions (e.g., open data sharing, collaborative projects)
- Testing usability through workshops with 100+ researchers to refine content and user experience
- Enhancing visibility of diverse research outputs, including mentorship, leadership, and societal impact
Structure of the Openness Researcher Profile
The OP template organises contributions into eight categories:
| Category | Key Components |
|---|---|
| Research | Publications, patents, experimental methods |
| Openness Profile | OS contributions (e.g., open datasets, preprints, DMPs)12 |
| Education | Mentorship, curriculum development |
| Leadership | Roles in research consortia or policy initiatives |
| Innovation | Technology transfer, commercialization |
| Communication | Public engagement, science outreach |
| Reviewer Section | Peer review activities, editorial roles |
This structure draws inspiration from the OPUS Research Assessment Framework and the Knowledge Exchange’s Openness Profile concept.
Collaborative Development Process
- Workshops: Over 100 researchers participated in interactive sessions to analyze current evaluation practices and identify data sources for the OP
- Alignment with EU Policies: The template integrates Horizon Europe requirements, such as Data Management Plans (DMPs), to ensure compatibility
- Visibility vs. Evaluation: While BrainMap profiles are mandatory for grant applications, the OP is designed for monitoring and visibility, not formal evaluation
Strategic Context: Romania’s Open Science Roadmap
The pilot aligns with Romania’s National Strategy for RDI 2022-2027 and the White Paper on Open Science (2023-2030), which mandates:
- FAIR data management as a funding requirement.
- Recognition of diverse research outputs (e.g., software, citizen science projects).
- Infrastructure development for the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC).
UEFISCDI’s Openness Researcher Profile pilot represents a critical step toward transparent, inclusive research assessment in Romania. By bridging national platforms like BrainMap with global OS standards, the initiative aims to empower researchers while fostering a culture of collaboration and openness. The outcomes of this pilot could serve as models for other EU nations navigating similar reforms.
