Abstract

Over 700 European institutions have joined CoARA to reform their research assessment practices. In Norway, universities are implementing such reform supported by the NOR-CAM framework. This framework has drawn interest beyond Norway and will be presented and discussed in the 15 min table.

The ongoing reform process in research assessment is significant. Over 700 European institutions, mostly universities, has signed an agreement – ARRA (Agreement on Reforming Research Assessment) to reform research assessment practices.

In this 15-min discussion table we will present the Norwegian Career Assessment Matrix (NOR-CAM), a toolbox for recognition and rewards. NOR-CAM concentrate on the dimension where individual researchers apply for positions, promotions, or internal or external resources. Our matrix also broadens the perspective by including all activities, not only research. Hence, NOR-CAM helps to implement the European research assessment reform. In Norway universities are implementing their own NOR-CAM versions, facilitated by our national NOR-CAM-network (the Norwegian CoARA National Chapter).

This reform is a huge task, involving dimensions along culture, governance, academic fields, infrastructure, information interoperability and many more. We are about to enter a profound and comprehensive change process that will both involve and affect the whole knowledge system. Furthermore, knowledge production is international, and we cannot reform alone.

On the other hand, let’s not make it too complicated. NOR-CAM represents career assessment framework that is 1) sufficiently coherent across national and organisational borders, and yet 2) flexible enough to acknowledge a variety of academic fields and institutional profiles. At the same time, it is 3) useful and simple both for individuals and organisations, as well as 4) holistic, covering all main activities at universities with different profiles.

Take away: An informed and engaged discussion on a possible model for reforming academic assessment at your own institution, or in your country. Open discussion on pros and cons, using such a generic model, will be promoted.