CoARA – A Dutch National Chapter in the Making

In 2022, Dutch universities and UMCs, together with the KNAW, NWO, and ZonMw, were among the first to sign the Agreement on Reforming Research Assessment (ARRA). This was hardly surprising, as the agreement aligns seamlessly with the goals of the Recognition & Rewards programme. For instance, ARRA advocates for the use of qualitative assessment criteria and the recognition of the diverse contributions of researchers.

Our universities and funding bodies were not only early signatories but also among the first members of the Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment (CoARA), a network established to support the ARRA agreement. Over the past two years, CoARA has grown from a small group of enthusiasts into a large international network of reformers, boasting over 700 members from Andorra to Zimbabwe.

Despite the strong Dutch involvement, the Netherlands still lacks a so-called National Chapter. A National Chapter is a local CoARA branch that helps members implement the goals of the Agreement on Reforming Research Assessment in their own country or region. This is particularly valuable because it allows us to amplify our voice within CoARA. Additionally, a National Chapter can share members’ experiences on an international stage during CoARA meetings. To date, 16 countries have established National Chapters, and CoARA regularly organises events for these chapters to exchange insights and experiences.

It is high time, therefore, for a Dutch National Chapter. This would enable us to participate in CoARA more cohesively, learn more effectively from other countries, and better share the lessons from our Recognition & Rewards efforts with the rest of the world. This is a crucial step, especially given concerns about the impact of Recognition & Rewards on the international mobility of researchers. CoARA demonstrates that the philosophy of Recognition & Rewards resonates internationally.

In recent months, we have been working hard behind the scenes to establish a Dutch National Chapter. The boards of NWO, ZonMw, the KNAW, and the Dutch universities have now approved its creation. We are currently awaiting final approvals before submitting an official request to CoARA. Hopefully, we will be able to share the exciting news early next year: the launch of our very own National Chapter!