Establishing frameworks to enhance research careers and improve conditions for researchers is a priority within the European Research Area (ERA) – recognised as a priority in the Croatian activities within the ERA Actions. This effort aims to maintain Europe’s resilience and competitiveness, promote the appeal and sustainability of research careers across the continent, and encourage talent mobility.
The University of Rijeka (UNIRI) actively participates in numerous European initiatives aimed at reforming the evaluation of scientific work, making it an important player in the policy framework concerning research assessment reform at the European level. As part of this engagement, UNIRI consistently strives to refine its own evaluation practices to recognise better and support the diverse academic contributions of its researchers.
Commitment to Reform: Signing the Agreement on Reforming Research Assessment (ARRA)
In July 2022, UNIRI became one of the early signatories of the Agreement on Reforming Research Assessment (ARRA), formally joining the Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment (CoARA). By signing ARRA, UNIRI has committed not only to implement reforms aligned with the core principles of the agreement, but also to develop an action plan aimed at enhancing the quality of all its academic activities, not just research, i.e., including teaching, leadership, community engagement (including knowledge valorisation and science outreach), and the social and economic impact of the university’s work. The UNIRI CoARA Action Plan 2024-2027 outlines clear objectives and initiatives to review and improve evaluation criteria, tools, processes, and measurable indicators. UNIRI’s action plan has been recognised as a model of best practice and was showcased during a CoARA webinar on 29 April 2024.
Addressing the Challenges: Shifting Paradigms in Research Evaluation
To address the evident challenges of the current system of research evaluation, which still heavily relies on quantitative metrics, UNIRI has adopted its internal Guidelines for the Institutional Criteria for Academic Staff Employment, aligning its employment practices with the European Researcher Competency Framework (ResComp) and the best practices in several EU countries (Netherlands, Norway, Finland). Additionally, UNIRI has amended its Rulebook on Scientific, Artistic, and Innovation Activities, thus incorporating the European Framework for Research Careers (EFfRC) definition of “researcher” and the R1-R4 descriptors, in line with EU Recommendations. These reforms are designed to ensure a more comprehensive and inclusive evaluation of academic staff, fostering a research environment that incentivises qualitative and socially responsible research activities, and better recognising and rewarding the full range of academic contributions of our researchers to both the institution and society.
A Pioneer in European Research Initiatives
Recognising that its researchers, alongside its students, are the University’s most valuable asset, UNIRI was the first Croatian university—and one of the first ten in Europe—to sign the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers. These documents, launched by the European Commission in 2005, aim to enhance employability and promote research careers as crucial drivers of economic growth, employment, and the creation of the European Research Area. UNIRI was also the first institution to sign the Charter for Participation in the European Commission’s Human Resources Strategy for Researchers (HRS4R). This activity is systematically propagated in the UNIRI structure, its processes, and its policies. In July 2010, the European Commission awarded UNIRI the “Excellence in Research” logo, recognising its holistic approach to improving the management of human resources in research, which was recently renewed. This achievement reflects the University’s vision of becoming a forward-thinking European university, driven by responsibility, openness, innovation, and collaboration.
Leading Research Career Support: The SECURE Project
As one of the pilot research-performing organisations participating in the Horizon Europe SECURE project, UNIRI is developing and testing support measures to create and implement a common framework for improving research careers, as well as reduce career uncertainty across Europe, thus helping to shape the future of research careers in Europe.
A Commitment to Excellence and Innovation
Through its comprehensive efforts to reform research evaluation, the University of Rijeka demonstrates its commitment to state-of-the-art academic standards. As the first Croatian university to embrace these reforms, UNIRI leads the way in significantly enhancing the quality of contributions made by the academic community to society. By prioritising more holistic and qualitative evaluation methods, aligned with key European initiatives, the University of Rijeka is setting a new standard for excellence in both national and European research landscapes.