TWIN4MERIT – International Thematic Symposium
Rethinking Research Assessment
Monday, 24th November 2025 from 9:45 to 16:00 PM (UTC+01:00).
Platform: Microsoft Teams.
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Symposium Summary
The TWIN4MERIT International Thematic Symposium will provide a platform for experts to discuss the evolving landscape of research assessment. The event will cover various topics, including the role of university libraries in enhancing research visibility through institutional repositories and open access policies, the influence of sustainability rankings on university evaluations, and the growing importance of citizen engagement in research. Discussions will also focus on rethinking traditional academic evaluation metrics, with a shift towards more inclusive and narrative-based approaches, particularly for early-career researchers. The symposium will conclude with a panel on the future of research assessment in the open science era, emphasizing the need for more collaborative, transparent, and inclusive evaluation systems.
Speakers
PhD. Gema Bueno de la Fuente
Universidad de Zaragoza
PhD. Nuria Bautista Puig
Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)
PhD. Emanuel Kulczycki
Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań
PhD. Yensi Flores Bueso
University College Cork
PhD. Zacharias Maniadis
University of Cyprus
PhD. Eva Méndez
Universidad Carlos III de Madrid
Symposium Schedule
| Time (CET, UTC+1): | Time (EET, UTC+2): | Session Details: |
|---|---|---|
| 09:45 – 10:00 | 10:45 – 11:00 |
Welcome & Introduction (15 min) Moderator: Welcome participants and introduce the symposium objectives. |
| 10:00 – 10:45 | 11:00 – 11:45 |
PhD. Gema Bueno de la Fuente (Universidad de Zaragoza) Session 1 – University Libraries & Research Assessment (45 min) Abstract: This session explores how institutional repositories and open access policies are transforming the visibility, evaluation, and strategic positioning of research in higher education. The first part examines the management and governance of institutional repositories, analysing how they function not only as archives but as instruments for enhancing institutional identity and research transparency. The second part focuses on the role of open access policies in increasing research visibility and compliance with national and international mandates. Finally, the session outlines practical strategies through which libraries can play an active role in research assessment, supporting academics in data curation, metadata standardisation, and the responsible use of metrics. |
| 10:45 – 11:30 | 11:45 – 12:30 |
PhD. Núria Bautista Puig (CSIC – Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas) Session 2 – Reframing research assessment: from sustainability rankings to citizen engagement (45 min) Abstract: This session explores how sustainability and participation are reshaping the way research and higher education institutions are assessed. The first part analyses five major sustainability rankings (UI GreenMetric, THE Impact Rankings, QS Sustainability Rankings, STARS, and People & Planet) to examine how they operationalise sustainability through their indicators. This comparison reveals that most rankings still prioritise environmental aspects over social and educational ones, highlighting the need for more holistic and transparent frameworks that capture the multidimensional nature of sustainability in universities. The second part extends this reflection to the participatory dimension of research, analysing projects from citizen science databases. The results show that, although public participation is widespread, the depth of engagement remains limited. |
| 11:30 – 13:00 | 12:30 – 14:00 | Lunch Break |
| 13:00 – 13:45 | 14:00 – 14:45 |
PhD. Emanuel Kulczycki (Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań) Sub-session 3a – “The Evaluation Game” (45 min) Abstract: This session explores how the rules of academic evaluation are being questioned and redefined in the face of growing criticism of traditional research assessment systems. The first part examines the limitations of conventional indicators such as journal impact factors and citation counts, highlighting their inability to capture the diversity, quality, and societal relevance of research. The discussion then turns to the systemic challenges that perpetuate metric-driven cultures, including incentive misalignments, disciplinary biases, and the marginalisation of open and collaborative practices. The second part presents alternative strategies for improving academic evaluation, drawing on emerging frameworks such as responsible metrics, qualitative peer review, and narrative-based assessment. Overall, The Evaluation Game invites participants to rethink how value and excellence are defined in academia, encouraging a shift towards fairer, more transparent, and context-sensitive models of research assessment. |
| 13:45 – 14:30 | 14:45 – 15:30 | Discussion & Q&A (10 min) |
| 14:30 – 15:30 | 15:30 – 16:30 |
PhD. Yensi Alejandra Flores Bueso (University College Cork) Sub-session 3b – Narrative CVs and Early-Career Researchers (45 min) Abstract: This session examines how narrative CVs are reshaping research assessment towards more inclusive and transparent models. The first part analyses narrative CVs as tools to move beyond purely quantitative indicators, enabling a fairer recognition of diverse contributions such as teaching, mentoring, open science practices, and societal impact. Focusing on early-career researchers, the discussion highlights how narrative formats can mitigate structural inequalities by valuing potential, collaboration, and non-traditional career paths. The second part offers practical guidance for institutions and libraries seeking to implement narrative CV frameworks, including support structures, training initiatives, and alignment with responsible research assessment principles. Overall, this session underscores the transformative potential of narrative CVs in fostering equity, diversity, and integrity in academic evaluation. |
| 14:45 – 15:30 | 15:45 – 16:30 | Discussion & Q&A (10 min) |
| 15:30 – 16:30 | 16:30 – 17:00 |
Delphi Panel – Rethinking Research Assessment in the Open Science Era (60 min) Participants: Gema Bueno, Núria Bautista, Emanuel Kulczycki, Yensi Flores Bueso, Zacharias Maniadis, and Eva Méndez. Moderator-led interactive discussion on: • Inter-institutional collaboration and policy recommendations. • Identifying key challenges and priorities in research assessment reform. • Building consensus on open, inclusive, and responsible evaluation practices. • Formulating practical recommendations for institutions and policymakers. |
| 16:30 – 17:00 | 17:30 – 18:00 |
Conclusions & Closing Remarks (30 min) • Summary of key insights and takeaways. • Presentation of research findings and results by representatives from each partner institution. • Acknowledgment of speakers and participants. |
Funding Bodies
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under the grant agreement No. 101079196.
Partners
