Gareth O’Neill Highlights OPUS Researcher Assessment Reforms at EU Expert Group Meeting

Gareth O’Neill Highlights OPUS Researcher Assessment Reforms at EU Expert Group Meeting 1024 576 Open and Universal Science (OPUS) Project

Gareth O’Neill, Principal Consultant on Open Science at Technopolis Group Belgium (TGB) and a key contributor to the EU-funded OPUS project, presented the project’s advancements in research assessment reforms during the 11th meeting of the National Points of Reference (NPR) expert group on 12 December 2024. The closed virtual meeting, convened under the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, focused on aligning national and EU-level policies for open access and scientific information.

Key Focus: OPUS Researcher Assessment Framework

O’Neill detailed OPUS’s progress in developing a Researcher Assessment Framework (RAF) designed to incentivise Open Science practices across European research institutions. The framework, which aligns with the EU’s broader Open Science Agenda, integrates:

  • Dual metrics: A blend of qualitative and quantitative indicators to evaluate researchers’ contributions to Open Science, such as data sharing, public engagement, and transparent peer review.
  • Ten guiding principles including separation of Open Science metrics from traditional bibliometrics and flexibility for institutions to prioritise criteria.

“Reforming research assessment is crucial to making Open Science the default. OPUS equips institutions with adaptable tools to transition equitably while maintaining academic rigour,” emphasised O’Neill. The presentation highlighted ongoing pilots at five institutions, where tailored assessment models are being tested.

NPR’s Role in Open Science Policy Coordination

The NPR meeting aimed to strengthen implementation of the EU’s 2012 Recommendation on access to scientific information, which mandates NPRs to coordinate national open access policies, monitor compliance, and liaise with the Commission Discussions emphasised challenges in harmonising Open Science requirements across Horizon Europe and national R&I programmesO’Neill underscored OPUS’s alignment with EU priorities, including the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC) and reforms to research career frameworks. He noted that OPUS’s policy recommendations, slated for finalisation in 2025, will inform the NPR’s 2025–2030 roadmap for Open Access.

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