Tuesday, 06 June 2023
SOMMa Alliance advocates for overhaul of scientific evaluation and publishing system
In the wake of a significant event hosted by the SOMMa Alliance on May, Nuria Benítez of the ICN2 Strategy Development team, among other Open Science leaders, has called for a comprehensive reform of the scientific evaluation and publishing system. The proposed changes aim to shift the focus from volume and venue of publications to the actual content and societal value provided by researchers. This need was recently covered by ElDiario.es.
Nuria Benítez, of the ICN2 Strategy Development team, along with other leading Spanish Open Science leaders, has called for a significant reform of the scientific evaluation and publishing system. This follows concerns of a spiralling quantitative obsession, where the emphasis is largely placed on the volume and venue of publications, as opposed to the actual content. A forum organised by the Severo Ochoa and María de Maeztu Alliance of Excellence (SOMMa) in May, has triggered a wider discussion on these concerns.
The Spanish Evaluation Agency (Aneca) plays a crucial role in setting requirements for academic and research progression, which inadvertently influences the actions of scientists. Aneca’s new director, Pilar Paneque, demonstrated openness to a possible reformation, signalling hope for systemic change.
Further support for an overhaul came from the European Council (EC), which emphasises the increasing unsustainability of publishing costs and the problematic control private entities have over intellectual property rights. The EC advocates for unrestricted access to publications funded by public money.
Nuria Benítez suggested a holistic evaluation approach which considers the researcher's ability to generate societal value. Proposals include valuing public outreach, teaching capabilities, and the generation of trust in the system.
Read more in this news piece recently published by ElDiario.es.