ARION

ARION (Advancing Research Assessment through Integrated Open practices and Narrative) is a Horizon Europe project coordinated by OpenAIRE that aims to turn Responsible Research Assessment (RRA) principles into everyday institutional practice. It addresses the gap between commitments such as CoARA and DORA and their practical implementation in recruitment, promotion, funding and institutional assessment.

Research is much more than the publications it produces, yet current assessment systems still largely rely on publications, citations and journal-based metrics. As a result, contributions such as data, software, leadership, teaching, mentoring and Open Science practices are often overlooked or undervalued. ARION addresses this gap by providing a practical framework for implementing research assessment reform, translating broad principles and commitments into concrete institutional instruments and procedures.

To achieve this, the project pilots four complementary interventions: digital research profiles, narrative CVs, institutional model policies and HR toolkits, supported by open infrastructures and tailored to different institutional contexts.

• In WP2, OpenScienceLab leads T2.1 Pilot Design, Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation: A core methodological task focused on the design, planning, monitoring, and evaluation of all pilots, including site-specific blueprints, tool selection, KPIs, workflows, governance, GDPR, bias mitigation, and evaluation methodology. UC3M will also coordinate the Monthly Reflection Workshops, debriefings, and peer learning across pilots.
• Also, within WP2, T2.3 Pilot Implementation and Support: A key implementation task focused on translating the pilot design into practice. Narrative CVs, enhanced researcher profiles, HR toolkits, and institutional model policies will be tested in recruitment, promotion, funding, and institutional assessment scenarios. There will be comparison groups, surveys, focus groups, and workflow observation. UC3M coordinates implementation and cross-pilot learning.
• In WP5, OpenScienceLab leads T5.2 Ethics, Data Protection, and Inclusion Monitoring: A key cross-cutting responsibility covering ethics, GDPR, FAIR data management, monitoring of the Data Management Plan, data protection and processing, and monitoring of gender equality, inclusive language, and diversity of participation in co-design, pilots, and training.

“Four interventions, one connected system.”

1. Digital research profiles: Surface contributions that traditional metrics often miss by drawing on open infrastructures. They provide structured and verifiable evidence of a broader range of research activities and contributions.
2. Narrative CVs: Provide a usable format and guidance that allow researchers to describe their contributions and place them in context. They add meaning and interpretation to the evidence captured through research profiles and other sources.
3. Institutional model policies: Offer adaptable policy text that helps institutions embed research assessment reform into their strategies, regulations and governance structures, turning reform principles into an institutional mandate.
4. HR Toolkits: Provide practical instruments for HR teams, research managers and assessment panels responsible for applying research assessment in day-to-day processes. They translate institutional policies into concrete procedures and decision-making practices.