What is COARA?
The Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment (COARA) is an international initiative that promotes the reform of research assessment systems. Its goal is to encourage more responsible evaluation models that recognise the diversity of scientific contributions, value research processes and outcomes within their specific contexts, and strengthen the role of qualitative judgement and peer review.
Organisations that join COARA share a commitment to advancing assessment systems that make responsible use of quantitative indicators and support higher-quality, more impactful, and more inclusive research. This vision is reflected in the Agreement on Reforming Research Assessment, which ACPUA signed in 2023.
What does it mean for ACPUA?
The Aragon Agency for Quality Assurance and Strategic Foresight in Higher Education (ACPUA) is committed to the continuous improvement of research assessment processes and actively participates in initiatives promoted by COARA. As a signatory of the Agreement on Reforming Research Assessment, ACPUA works to incorporate these principles into procedures where research activity is a relevant component.
Joining COARA means moving towards assessment models that:
- Recognise the diversity of research careers, contributions, and contexts.
- Rely primarily on qualitative assessment and peer review.
- Make responsible, contextualised, and non-mechanistic use of quantitative indicators.
Participation in CoARA
ACPUA takes part in the activities carried out by COARA through several international working groups, including the Working Group on Methodologies (WG1), contributing to the exchange of experiences and the dissemination of good practices in responsible research assessment.
The Agency also participates in the Spanish National Chapter of COARA, promoted by the Conference of Rectors of Spanish Universities (CRUE) and the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), together with universities, research organisations, and quality assurance agencies from across the country.
Archivos adjuntos
Action Plan 2024–2028
To systematise and ensure the continuity of the activities carried out in this area, ACPUA has approved its CoARA Action Plan 2024–2028, aligned with the principles of the coalition and with the national research assessment system.
