Catalyzing Responsible Assessment for Open Science

Catalyzing Responsible Assessment for Open Science Giovanna Lima1[0000-0003-2797-0034] 1 DORA (Declaration on Research Assessment), Rockville, MD 20852, USA Abstract. This poster presents the DORA Practical Guide to Implementing Responsible Research Assessment at RPOs (2025), highlighting its actionable strategies for aligning research assessment with Open Science (OS) principles. It offers practical approaches to recognize diverse contributions, ensure transparency, and foster inclusive, community-driven evaluation practices in line with global RRA initiatives that advance OS. Conference Themes: Transparency and Inclusivity of Assessment Processes, Recognition of Contributions to Open Science Keywords: responsible research assessment, DORA, implementation, practical guide, research performing organizations. 1 Main Contribution The DORA Practical Guide to Implementing Responsible Research Assessment at Research Performing Organizations (RPOs)[1], published in May 2025, provides actionable guidance for transforming research assessment practices. This poster links Open Science (OS) to the Guide’s key assessment activities and moments, offering strategic support for those aiming to implement Responsible Research Assessment (RRA) in their institutions. The Guide directly supports the GraspOS conference’s core themes by offering practical pathways for RPOs to foster open, transparent, and inclusive assessment systems: ● Recognizing contributions to OS: The Guide broadens the scope of assessment beyond traditional publications, explicitly valuing diverse outputs such as datasets, software, public engagement, and policy work. It encourages incentives for openly shared, discoverable, and reusable outputs. Narrative CVs are promoted to capture non-traditional and OS-related contributions, with an emphasis on quality over quantity. ● Ensuring transparency and inclusivity: The Guide advocates for clear, fair, and open criteria in assessment processes. It supports qualitative, expert-led evaluations, complemented by responsible use of metrics. Practical tips address implementation challenges, including bias mitigation and training for assessment committees. Co-creation with research communities is emphasized to build trust and accountability. By translating RRA principles into concrete steps, the Guide addresses the critical “how-to” gap in implementation—similar to the GraspOS SCOPE+i Framework. It 2 Giovanna Lima aligns with global initiatives such as CoARA[2], the Barcelona Declaration[3], and the UNESCO Recommendation on Open Science[4], reinforcing a coordinated movement toward more holistic and equitable research evaluation. The Guide’s novelty lies in its focus on implementation. It shifts the conversation from why RRA is needed to how it can be achieved in practice. It outlines nine key activities and targeted interventions for pivotal assessment moments. Its design as a dynamic, evolving resource—featuring real-world examples and community feedback—underscores its practical utility. With a strong emphasis on adaptability and co-creation, the Guide recognizes that no one-size-fits-all solution exists, making it a vital tool for RPOs committed to advancing OS through responsible assessment. Acknowledgments. The Guide has been funded by Arcadia Foundation under their financial support for the Project Tools to Advance Research Assessment (TARA). Arcadia helps people to record cultural heritage, to conserve and restore nature, and to promote open access to knowledge. Since 2002 Arcadia has awarded more than $1.2 billion to organizations around the world. Disclosure of Interests. The author currently serves as program manager for DORA (Declaration on Research Assessment). References 1. Allen, L., Barbour, V., Cobey, K., Faulkes, Z., Hazlett, H., Lawrence, R., Lima, G., Massah, F., Schmidt, R.: A practical guide to implementing responsible research assessment at research performing organizations. Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA). https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15000683 (2025) 2. CoARA, https://coara.eu, last accessed 2025/09/27 3. Kramer, B., Neylon, C., Waltman, L.: Barcelona Declaration on Open Research Information (1.0). Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10958522 (2024) 4. UNESCO Open science, https://www.unesco.org/en/open-science, last accessed 2025/09/27