KRECon 2023: The Future of Research(er) Assessment
KRECon 2023: The Future of Research(er) Assessment https://opusproject.eu/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-07-at-06.57.17-1024x481.png 1024 481 Open and Universal Science (OPUS) Project https://opusproject.eu/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-07-at-06.57.17-1024x481.pngOn November 9, 2023, the OPUS Project team joined a vibrant gathering of thought leaders and reform advocates at the annual KRECon conference in Prague. Held in the National Library of Technology, KRECon (Knowledge, Research, Education Conference) has been a cornerstone event since 2010, offering a bold platform for discussing timely and often provocative topics shaping higher education and R&D policy.
This year’s edition—“The Future of Research(er) Assessment”—focused squarely on transforming how we evaluate research and researchers. The agenda featured three core sessions on research assessment, research careers, and grant evaluation, capped by a panel discussion envisioning the next decade of researcher evaluation.
OPUS made a strong impression during the pre-conference workshops, where Gareth O’Neill and Emma Day introduced the OPUS Researcher Assessment Framework and outlined innovative interventions for more transparent, inclusive evaluation systems. Their presentation laid the groundwork for deeper reflections throughout the day.
During Session #2: Researcher Career Assessment, several OPUS team members from pilot organizations stepped into the spotlight:
- Saša Zelenika delivered a thought-provoking talk titled “Quo vadis, researcher career assessment?”, challenging existing paradigms and calling for systems that support diverse academic pathways rather than rigid hierarchies. Video recording, Saša Zelenika – Quo vadis, researcher career assessment?
- Isabel Rocha offered valuable institutional insights in her presentation “Research Assessment and Research Careers – NOVA’s Experience”, sharing lessons learned from implementing progressive practices at NOVA University. Video recording
- Representing the researcher voice, Brian Cahill from the Marie Curie Alumni Association (MCAA) gave a compelling talk on “Researcher Perspective of Research Assessment”, grounding the discussion in lived experiences and everyday realities of researchers navigating career development. Video recording
Together, these contributions emphasised a shared commitment to meaningful change—one that places researchers, not just metrics, at the heart of assessment reform.
As the OPUS Project continues to support co-creation of assessment practices across Europe, KRECon 2023 served as both a sounding board and a springboard—amplifying the call for responsible, values-driven research assessment and reimagined career pathways for the next generation of scholars.
Pre-Conference workshops
Gareth O’Neill, Emma Day – Reforming Research(er) Assessment
Melita Kovačević – Research productivity and the demands on PhD researchers and supervisors
Conference Opening and Welcome
Martin Svoboda
Pavel Doleček
Radka Wildová
Session #1 Reforming Research Assessment
Jean-Emmanuel Faure – Reforming research assessment: Rationale, progress made and role of the European Commission
Luisa Henriques – Possible impacts of the new approaches to research assessment in the European research careers framework
Tomáš Polívka – Research Assessment in Czech Republic: Getting better but not there yet
Open Discussion with speakers and guests: Pavel Doleček and Šárka Pospíšilová
Session #2 Researcher Career Assessment
Saša Zelenika – Quo vadis, researcher career assessment?
Isabel Rocha – Research Assessment and Research Careers – NOVA’s experience
Brian Cahill – Researcher Perspective of Research Assessment
Open Discussion with speakers and guests: Jan Konvalinka and Martin Loebl
Session #3 Research Grant Assessment
Alina Irimia – Research assessment in the transition to OS – national and funder perspective
Petr Baldrian – Grant assessment: Lessons learned, open questions and future directions
Sebastian Dahle – Research grant assessment for sustainable researcher careers
Open Discussion with speakers and guests: Martin Bunček and Jana Klánová
Panel Discussion: The Future of Research(er) Assessment
Clifford Tatum, Reda Cimmperman, Melita Kovačević, Jiří Homola and Martin Loebl