D1 - Recognition and reward: Using responsible metrics, indicators, and researcher assessment systems to support the career development of researchers

Workshop overview: 

Over time the academic reward system has become increasingly focused on publications, citations and the ability to secure funding as measures of success, often through the use of metrics. The unintended consequences of this is that many early career researchers feel compelled to focus on these outcomes and less likely to engage in broader research activities and professional development (CPD). 

How research is conducted is changing, with research funders encouraging researchers to engage with research users, make their research more open and engage in more innovation. To reflect this changing environment, there have been more recent calls to recognise and reward the broader range of researcher activities. This workshop will consider how research staff are contributing to the broader health of the research system and whether they feel recognised for these contributions based on the findings of the Careers in Research Online Survey (CROS) 2017.

Building on Lord Stern’s independent review of the REF and the Metric Tide report, the recent consultation on the next REF (REF2021) sought sector views on the introduction of more quantitative data into the REF environment template. The REF initial decisions will be published shortly and this workshop provides an opportunity to discuss the development of the environment template and the involvement of the Forum for Responsible Research Metrics. 

It will also consider the recent report from the European Commission on ‘Rewards, incentives and/or recognition for researchers practicing open science’, which describes a Career Development Matrix as a comprehensive, practical approach to evaluating the broader contributions of researchers.  

Workshop topics covered: 

• How can academic reward systems evolve to facilitate a more open research system and create a more inclusive environment for researchers?
• What are important considerations for REF2021 environment to allow suitable recognition of support for researcher development?
• How can institutions recognise and reward the wider contributions of early career researchers within in their recruitment, appraisal and reward structures? 

Themes covered: 

• Developing a pipeline of research talent through strategies to attract and retain research talent, and mainstreaming equality and diversity in the research environment
• Researcher development across boundaries including international collaborations, inter-cultural competences, international researchers’ experiences, business/industry collaborations and engaging society through open research.
• Enabling career transitions between academia to industry

Workshop outcomes: 

By the end of the workshop, participants will have: 

• Explored the challenges and opportunities of broadening the academic reward system. 
• Discussion on the development of the REF 2021 environment template. 
• Shared examples of good practice and considered how their institution policies and practices could evolve to encourage researchers to engage in more open research and CPD 

Format: 

Information sharing, structured discussion and sharing of experiences, best practices and ideas