CoARA Implementation: Rethinking Research Assessment at SFU

Towards a Pluralised and Contextualised Assessment of Research Contributions and Careers at SFU

The institutional pilot project CoARAverse in Psychology has been selected for cascade funding via the Horizon Europe CoARA Boost Project, coordinated by the European Science Foundation (ESF) through the CoARA Secretariat. The pilot explores more contextualised and pluralised ways of documenting and evaluating research activities according to diverse research cultures.

Since September 2025, SFU has been collecting data in the Pure Research Information Management System using a growing set of CoARA-aligned indicators. The entry options go beyond traditional metrics like publication or citation counts, recognising activities including:

Collaboration and networking
Support for early-career researchers
Open access and research integrity
Societal and policy engagement
Research-led teaching and science communication
Academic and community service

These examples are not exhaustive. The indicator set is continuously expanded and refined based on faculty feedback, evolving research practices, and international standards. All researchers are encouraged to record a broader scope of their research-related activities in Pure, ranging from theses supervision and peer review to public engagement and interdisciplinary projects. In line with the Agreement on Reforming Research Assessment, SFU recognises that individual researchers and research units are not expected to excel in all categories.

We look forward to informing you about the next steps and developments in the ongoing, collaborative reform process of the research evaluation at our university. To learn more about the objectives of the project and what to expect at different levels of research evaluation, please explore the CoARAverse Pilot Project at the Faculty of Psychology.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. Funded within the framework of the CoARA Boost Project under grant agreement No 101131826.

11 December 2025