CoARA Action Plan

CoARA Action Plan Updated to Continue Transformation of TU Dublin Research Evaluation Practices

Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin) released its revised Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment (CoARA) Action Plan in August 2026. This document outlines TU Dublin's strategy for reforming research assessment up to 2027. TU Dublin was the first Irish university to publish their action plan in September 2024, and this new version builds on the work completed since the publication of Version 1 and provides a renewed framework to guide implementation, monitor progress, and support ongoing cultural and organisational change in research assessment practices.

Version 2 maintains the focus on five main strands: Establish, Implement, Monitor, Revise, and Experiment. These elements are designed to promote responsible research assessment practices, aligning with CoARA's broader goals for improving research culture and integrating responsible metrics into research evaluations. This approach emphasises continual review and adaptation as part of the implementation process.

CoARA is an international initiative that seeks to reform traditional research evaluation methods, moving beyond narrow metrics like journal impact factor and h-index. Instead, CoARA promotes 10 key principles that emphasise more inclusive and qualitative approaches to research assessment. These principles encourage assessing diverse contributions such as datasets, software, societal impact, and peer review, ensuring a fairer and more comprehensive evaluation of research outputs.

The goal is to create a more equitable and impactful research ecosystem at TU Dublin that supports both innovation and public engagement. This Action Plan has been formally endorsed by the University's Research & Innovation Academy.

For further inquiries, contact the CoARA National Chapter Member:

Lindsay Dowling,

Open Research Support Unit Lead

lindsay.dowling@tudublin.ie