Open Access Brandenburg participates in CoARA: Research Assessment as the Key to Open Access Transformation

CoARA was founded in 2022 as an initiative of institutions committed to the Reforming Research Assessment (ARRA) agreement. The overarching goal is a transparent, inclusive assessment of scientific achievements that emphasises qualitative criteria and overcomes the one-sided dominance of bibliometric indicators such as the Journal Impact Factor (JIF).

This reform movement is of direct importance for the open access transformation: as long as academic reputation is primarily measured by publications in established journals with a high impact factor, open access formats remain structurally disadvantaged. New publication channels - whether Gold, Diamond or Green Open Access - can hardly compete with the historically established reputation structures if quantitative metrics alone are the deciding factor. In addition, open science contributions such as data publications, open software or social knowledge transfer are simply not reflected in traditional evaluation systems.

Prof Dr Ellen Euler, LL.M., scientific project manager at Open Access Brandenburg: "The open access transformation will only succeed in the long term if scientists do not have to fear any disadvantages when they publish openly. As long as careers and reputations are largely dependent on publication venues, this creates the wrong incentives - in favour of publishers who monopolise reputations. By joining CoARA, we are sending a clear signal: fair, diversity-sensitive research assessment is not a side issue, but a prerequisite for open science."

CoARA's ten commitments are essentially in line with the goals of Open Science: the recognition of diverse research contributions beyond traditional publication formats, the appreciation of open and transparent research practices and the promotion of a culture of sharing and collaboration. Recognition of these achievements has so far remained the exception, especially for scientists who are involved in data curation, community work or the development of open infrastructures. CoARA explicitly calls for such contributions to be recognised as legitimate academic career achievements.

Open Access Brandenburg will use its membership to strengthen the dialogue between the open access community and the growing CoARA coalition and to bring reform impulses to Brandenburg's higher education landscape. The long-term goal is a scientific culture in which openness does not require courage, but is recognised and honoured as a matter of course.

About Open Access Brandenburg

The Open Access Brandenburg supports universities and research institutions in the state of Brandenburg in the implementation of Open Access and Open Science. It offers advice, networking and information services and advocates structural framework conditions that promote open publishing.

About the Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment (CoARA)

The Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment (CoARA) was founded in 2022 and brings together research institutions, funding organisations and other scientific institutions worldwide that have committed themselves to reforming research assessment on the basis of the Agreement on Reforming Research Assessment.