Our commitment
As a long-term advocate of responsible research assessment, the University is pleased to be able to strengthen its existing arrangements by committing to the core principles of research assessment set out by the Wellcome Trust, and shared by many other leading research organisations and funders.
In particular, we will work to ensure that we are assessing research outputs and other research contributions against explicit criteria, based on their intrinsic merit, and discouraging the inappropriate use of proxies or metrics.
We will also ensure that we recognise the value of all relevant research outputs (for example publications, datasets and software), as well as other types of contributions to the research environment, such as training early-career researchers and influencing policy and practice.
Our principles
In 2017, the University of Bath developed a set of principles which outline our approach to research assessment and management, including the responsible use of quantitative indicators. These principles draw upon the Leiden Manifesto and the Metric Tide. They are designed to encapsulate current good practice and to act as a guide for future activities.
Our process
We have undertaken a desktop exercise to identify opportunities to replace practices that do not fully support the principles within our processes of recruitment, promotion and funding.
This has revealed a number of inter-dependent strands that will need to be updated in a co-ordinated way, during the early part of academic year 2021/22.
We will design and embed a process for evaluating and reporting on progress in implementing the principles, comprising:
- progress in changing policies and processes through to the completion of the project
- tracking examples of decisions made through application of the principles
Throughout the project we will be alert to opportunities for further and deeper actions that may need to be taken to bring these policies to life in the everyday culture and practice of research in the University.