COARA
CoARA, Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment is an international initiative aimed at developing common guidelines and principles for research assessment.
CoARA was established at the initiative of the European Commission together with Science Europe and the European University Association. The objective is to reform the research assessment system and create an international consensus. The overall aim is to increase the quality and impact of research. More than 600 organisations around the world have joined CoARA, including higher education institutions, authorities, interest organisations and research funders.
CoARA in Sweden
Work takes place through National chapters. The chapters represents a collaboration between the Association of Swedish Higher Education Institutions (SUHF), Swedish research funders and universities to establish common definitions and criteria for future research assessment. Since 2021, SUHF and the Swedish Research Council (VR) have held annual workshops to address central challenges. The time has now come to take the next step.
In 2022, SUHF established a team to create a national framework for qualifications assessment in higher education, partly driven by a demand for an updated strategy for open science. Since this framework covers a wider range of achievements than just research, funders are not directly involved. To focus on research qualifications, the Swedish signatories of CoARA will work together to establish national standards for research assessment and share successful examples between universities and funders.
CoARA at Karlstad University
Karlstad University joined CoARA in May 2023 with the aim of actively participating in the national and international efforts to reform research assessment. The goal is to also adapt the university’s processes over time based on the overall principles and commitments of CoARA. More information about Karlstad University’s selected priority areas and plans: Karlstad University CoARA Action Plan.
Karlstad University commits to actively reform its own systems for research assessment and acquisition of qualifications, as well as contributing to the advancement of research assessment nationally and internationally.
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