The University of Bath is inviting everyone who is part of or supports our research community to take part in a pilot of its new Responsible Research Assessment (RRA) online training this December 2025.
Earlier this year, the University’s revised Principles for Responsible Research Assessment (RRA) and implementation plan were approved by the Research and Knowledge Exchange Committee (RKEC) and formally adopted by Senate. They are intended to guide all aspects of research assessment across the institution, whether for recruitment, promotion, funding, or other initiatives.
This is an opportunity to get early access to the training, test the content, and help shape how the University embeds responsible research assessment practices. Participants will provide feedback to inform the final version of the training which will launch across the institution, with accompanying guidance, in January 2026.
We will also be setting up a Responsible Research Assessment Working Group to support teams across the university to review their assessment processes and make changes where necessary. We would like to have representation from academic and research active staff from across schools and faculties.
Our updated principles of research assessment align with global trends in responsible research and innovation and reflect our broader institutional commitment as a signatory of the Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA). They are also a key priority in the University’s Research Culture Action Plan launched in December 2024, reinforcing our long-term commitment to improving research culture.
“We have revised our principles for responsible research assessment (RRA) and developed new guidance and training to ensure our assessments and are carried out using robust, transparent and inclusive methods;” said Professor Sarah Hainsworth, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research and Enterprise).
“The training offers practical support to help colleagues apply the principles in real contexts. It will be mandatory for ‘frequent assessors’, such as Heads of Department, Associate Deans for Research, Deans, and members of Academic Staff Committee but open to all staff. By taking part in the pilot next month, colleagues can help shape the content to ensure it is relevant, engaging and useful for our entire research community.”
The training provides an approach for designing assessment, for example for recruitment or promotion panels, as well as guidance on the responsible use of metrics. It also includes scenario-based examples of how to assess research or researchers responsibly.
If you would like to join the December 2025 pilot of the RRA online training tool please complete the sign-up form by 8th December. You will have the option to attend an in-person focus group before the festive break or complete a simple tester feedback form by mid-December. The online training takes around 20 minutes to complete, and your input will be invaluable to help us improve the final version of this online resource.
If you are interested in joining the Responsible Research Assessment Working Group, please read the Terms of the Reference and register your interest by 22nd December.
Feel free to email research-culture@bath.ac.uk if you have any questions.