OpenAIRE, a key player in advancing Open Science, has published its Action Plan to support the Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment (CoARA) commitments. This initiative aligns with the OpenAIRE Strategy 2023–2025 and marks a significant step in transforming research assessment practices worldwide. OpenAIRE’s network, spanning 52 members across 39 countries, positions the organization to lead this change in a way that prioritizes diversity, equity, and transparency.
The Action Plan directly addresses the ten CoARA commitments, aiming to reshape how research is assessed. One of its key actions is recognizing the diversity of research outputs, including datasets and software, ensuring all contributions are visible and valued within institutional evaluation frameworks. To complement this, OpenAIRE champions qualitative peer reviews and the responsible use of evidence-based indicators to provide a more holistic view of research achievements.
Furthermore, OpenAIRE advocates moving away from traditional journal-based metrics such as the Journal Impact Factor (JIF) and h-index. Instead, it focuses on offering neutral, comprehensive data that empowers institutions to assess research in a more transparent and fair manner. The organization also supports reforming research assessment tools and processes, offering multilingual resources, workshops, and consultations to aid in the widespread adoption of Open Science principles.
By committing to these reforms, OpenAIRE fosters collaboration and mutual learning, not only within the CoARA network but across the global research community. The Action Plan serves as a foundation for creating a more inclusive and impactful research ecosystem, driving forward Open Science values and setting the stage for future innovations in research assessment.
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