Abstract

CoARA ExPECT is a joint project of the Ruhr University Bochum, Tampere University and University of Oulu, the purpose of which is to promote CoARA’s vision of reforming research assessment. The project provides evaluators with concise but sufficiently comprehensive instructions for responsible evaluation of the different stages of a researcher's career.

In CoARA ExPECT, three universities from two academic systems – ranging from more advanced and intermediate players to a comparatively newcomer in the field of responsible research assessment – join forces to share their vision for improving research assessment practices and combine complementary strengths. The wide multidisciplinarity of the participating universities brings challenges but also provides fruitful stimuli to common guidelines and practices. In responsible assessment, there is no "one size fits all" solution, but the process must be built in such a way that the particular characteristics of different disciplines are taken into account.

ExPECT is dedicated to advancing the principles of CoARA through the collaborative development and implementation of innovative instructional materials. Our mission is to foster a culture of responsible research assessment that emphasises quality, impact, sustainability and diversity across academic communities. Through our joint effort, we aspire to contribute significantly to the global dialogue on reforming research assessment and to be at the forefront of implementing persistent change that reflects CoARA's values and objectives.
 
Through utilising high-level expertise in responsible assessment, we create a suite of joint instructional materials for researchers, evaluators, administrative staff and management of the organisations to facilitate the effective and systematic implementation of CoARA. By creating accessible and engaging instructional videos tailored to address different stages of researcher’s career, supported by more detailed written instructions, we will elucidate CoARA's guidelines and best practices and promote a unified approach to research assessment that aligns with CoARA's vision of inclusivity and excellence. Mutual learning is at the very core of CoARA ExPECT and all parties involved in CoARA (and beyond) are invited and encouraged to freely use the project’s results.