By David Budtz Pedersen, Professor, Aalborg University and director of Frontier Center for Advanced SSH

The conference is part of the Danish Presidency of the European Union and plays a crucial role in the preparations of the next framework programme for research and innovation (FP10). A key priority of the conference is to emphsise the need for more inclusive and responsible research asseessment and paving the way for a more democratic, open, and responsive research culture. 

Learn more about the conference: https://www.cerra.aau.dk

Recognition of diversity in research outputs

The European Commission and Member States are decided to give universities a much more pronounced role in securing European competitiveness, defense and societal well-being. For researchers to meet their potential and generate enhanced social impact, new indicators and reward structures are needed. Among other things, the conference explores how open science, innovation and collaboration need to be recognized as part of the academic career. 

A holistic assessment

The urgency for reforming research assessment is clear. Traditional systems, which rely on publication metrics such as citation counts, fail to recognize the full spectrum of scholarly contributions, including teaching, outreach, and community engagement. These methods often dissuade diversity in research practices. 

With the Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment Reform (CoARA) research organizations, funders, and professional societies are dedicated to reforming research assessment. The Coalition was established in 2022 to provide a comprehensive framework for evaluating the diverse contributions of researchers, ensuring that qualitative evaluation plays a more prominent role alongside quantitative metrics. 

Across EU countries and worldwide, over 800 organizations have committed to the vision of CoARA, concurring with the Agreement on Reforming Research Assessment, which outlines the guiding principles for a more inclusive and effective assessment system.

AAU as first movers

Among the leading Danish signatories is AAU. The university is well-positioned to host and facilitate a dialogue among European and Danish funding agencies, university associations, and policymakers. As an innovative and forward-thinking university, AAU has a long tradition for promoting problem-based learning, societal engagement and university-industry relations. 

AAU has adopted a new research indicator that includes collaboration, visibility and openness as part of the annual performance review, which helps to promote a more inclusive, transparent, and effective assessment method. This move towards more responsible and diverse research assessment methods has become a top-priority among European funding agencies, including the European Commission itself. 

In order to support the European and global effort to transform research assessment practices, AAU invites key stakeholders and researchers to join the High-Level Conference on Reforming Research Assessment on 3-4 December 2025.

Who participates?

The Conference is one the largest that will be held in the Danish EU Presidency. It features 300 stakeholders, speakers, experts, scientists, and policymakers from academia, government, universities, and funding bodies. 

Among those giving presentations at the conference are:

• Danish Minister of Science, Christine Egelund
• President of the European Research Council, Prof. Marie Leptin,
• Secretary General of Science Europe, Lidia Borrell-Damian

and many more. 

The conference is organized in cooperation between the Aalborg University and the CoARA Steering Group, Science Europe, Independent Research Fund Denmark, Novo Nordisk Foundation, Villum Foundation, University of Southern Denmark, the League of European Research Universities, European University Association , DORA and CESAER. 

For further information please contact: 

Prof. David Budtz Pedersen, tel: +45 3029 2974 / email: davidp@ikp.aau.dk and the conference secretariat cerra@id.aau.dk