Queensland University of Technology

The distinctive feature of Queensland University of Technology's (QUT) approach to responsible research assessment is its institution-wide strategy to raise awareness whilst accommodating disciplinary differences. This occurs within a national context where change is happening gradually and organically, rather than through coordinated policy pressure. This comprehensive strategy, called Reimagining Research Assessment at QUT (RRA), is led by committed internal champions who take an evidence-based scholarly approach. The initiative aims to move beyond traditional metrics to recognise all forms of research and researchers, drawing inspiration from global reform movements whilst contributing to the gradual shift occurring across Australia.

QUT has an overarching RRA Action and Implementation Plan that is centrally defined. While the university leadership, including the Vice-Chancellor and Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research, are passionate about and committed to progressing this initiative, the implementation is not solely mandated from the top. Instead, all QUT's five faculties(Faculty of Business and Law, Faculty of Creative Industries, Education and Social Justice, Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Health and Faculty of Science) have proactively embraced and started implementing DORA principles within their own disciplines. This represents a “distributed ownership” model where faculties have taken responsibility for applying these principles in a discipline-specific manner. The Executive Deans and Associate Deans Research (ADRs) play a vital role as champions  engaging with researchers and managing expectations, fostering a cultural shift. This distributed engagement has led to a “contagion across faculties”, where the progress of one faculty inspires others.

The next phase of the implementation includes formalizing DORA principles and the QUT public Statement on responsible research assessment within the QUT Academic Career Framework (research), making their application mandatory while still allowing faculties autonomy in how they apply them. This will ensure assessment practices are more equitable and consistently aligned with institutional principles across all faculties.

QUT began its changes primarily due to internal leadership of key people including QUT's Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research (DVCR), Distinguished Professor Christopher Barner-Kowollik, Adjunct Professor Ginny Barbour, Professor Tina Cockburn, and Dr Jessica Harriden (and since 2025 Dr Ilana Bolingford). There was a strong recognition by the leadership that existing assessment methods did not adequately capture the breadth and value of their research, and in particular that QUT’s real-world approach to research was not captured in how it approached academic careers. QUT conducts a significant amount of applied and translational research, and traditional metrics often fail to capture the full breadth and value of this work, including impact. The external context, including national and international reviews and funder initiatives  provided leverage and an additional impetus for QUT to review and update its own practices.

The Reimagining Research Assessment initiative at QUT began in September 2021, when the University Research Committee (URC) established a Working Group to explore research assessment reform in response to increasing international momentum and concerns about equity and the misuse of metrics in research evaluation.

Throughout 2021 and 2022, the Working Group conducted extensive consultations with key stakeholders across the university, including Executive Deans, Associate Deans Research, and the Research Portfolio. This work involved the development of a Reimagining Research Assessment at QUT discussion paper.

In November 2022, the URC endorsed the principles and recommended actions proposed in the discussion paper. Following this a comprehensive mapping exercise comparing international research assessment principles with existing QUT strategies and policies was undertaken and a public statement of RRA was developed by the working group. The proposed QUT Public Statement on Research Assessment and the DORA signing process were subsequently endorsed by URC in July 2023 and by the University Academic Board (UAB) later that month, before proceeding to University Council. QUT formally signed the DORA in September 2023 and made a public statement that was published on the QUT website. This led to further refinement and the development of an Action and Implementation Plan, which was approved by the UAB in July 2024. A Steering Group, chaired by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research, was subsequently established to oversee implementation.

The Steering Group is comprised of research leaders from all Faculties and Divisions and its responsibilities as set out in the Terms of Reference of the Steering Group  are as follows:

• Demonstrate visible ethical leadership in research assessment by ensuring that all practices and policies align with the highest ethical standards, fostering a culture of integrity and accountability in how research excellence is measured and recognised, and supporting the principles and actions outlined in the QUT Public Statement on Research Assessment and the Reimagining Research Assessment Action and Implementation Plan.
• Provide overall strategic guidance and direction to ensure that the principles and actions outlined in the QUT Public Statement on Research Assessment and the Reimagining Research Assessment Action and Implementation Plan. are implemented effectively and appropriately, including identifying priority actions and implementation strategies as appropriate for faculties, schools, and disciplines.
• Provide overall direction and management of the Action and Implementation Plan including identifying the capabilities needed to realise the benefits for QUT researchers and for the University as a whole.
• Consider resourcing implications and identify solutions to ensure that actions are prioritised, implemented, progressed and completed within agreed timeframes.
• Resolve strategic and operational issues which require input and agreement of senior stakeholders to ensure the successful implementation of the principles and actions.
• Ensure continued focus on the successful implementation of QUT research assessment principles and actions including overseeing regular progress reporting processes.
• Engage in externally facing advocacy, representing the QUT research assessment principles to external stakeholders including funding bodies, government agencies, and the broader public to foster support and alignment with broader sectoral goals.
• Reference the broader social and economic impact of research in all group initiatives, ensuring that the outcomes of research assessment not only benefit the academic community but also contribute to societal well-being and economic development.

Having the right people talking about responsible research assessment by reference to DORA principles, from senior to middle leadership and management including Associate Deans Research, is paramount for QUT's responsible research assessment journey. This consistent advocacy and visible passion and commitment secures crucial buy-in across faculties, overcoming resistance and driving the cultural shift necessary for embedding new assessment practices university-wide.

QUT has made available workshops and resources for various internal groups, such as research centers and other research communities, to adopt and implement themselves. The purpose of these workshops is to enable staff to learn more about responsible research assessment and build awareness of DORA and the university's related initiatives. This approach aligns with QUT’s overall strategy of distributed ownership, where faculties and other internal groups are empowered to implement changes and foster a cultural shift in research assessment within their specific contexts.

QUT’s journey began in September 2021 with a working group established to address concerns about metric misuse and international trends in research assessment. The phased approach, described below,  progressed through the formal endorsement of principles by URC in November 2022, endorsement of the QUT Public Statement on Research Assessment and DORA signing process by URC and UAB in July 2023, the signing of DORA in September 2023, and the approval of an institution-wide Action and Implementation Plan in July 2024, with key implementation and integration, including updates to the Academic Career Framework for research continuing through to 2027.

Phase 1: Foundations (2022–2023)

• Endorsed the need for research assessment reform and development of a Reimagining Research Assessment at QUT discussion paper
• Established the RRA Working Group which led consultation, mapping exercise comparing international research assessment principles with existing QUT strategies and policies and development of QUT’s public statement on research assessment.
• Released QUT’s Public Statement on Research Assessment.
• QUT Vice Chancellor formally signed DORA, committing to responsible research assessment principles.

Phase 2: Design and Consultation (2023–2025)

• Developed the RRA Discussion Paper with guiding principles and actions.
• Conducted university-wide consultations with faculties and stakeholders.
• Secured endorsement from URC and UAB for the RRA Action and Implementation Plan.
• Established the RRA Steering Group.
• Initiated the NTRO sub-group under the RRA umbrella.

Phase 3: Implementation and Engagement (2025–2026)

• Developed a university-wide survey to gather evidence on how research quality is perceived.
• Delivered training, workshops, and communications to build awareness of DORA and responsible assessment.
• Commenced targeted consultations through focus groups to inform the review and update of the Academic Career Framework.
• Planning for external engagement between staff and external partners via showcase events, publications, and resources .
• Began developing a National Community of Practice.

Phase 4: Integration and Evaluation (2026–2027)

• Implementing changes to policies, systems, and guidance based on 2025 consultation outcomes.
• Finalising updates to the Academic Career Framework (research) aligned with responsible assessment principles in relation to the Research and Research training domain.
• Embedding responsible research assessment into hiring, promotion, and funding schemes and associated decision making.
• Evaluating outcomes and sharing practices with the broader sector. This phased approach ensures thoughtful development, broad engagement, and long-term sustainability of responsible research assessment at QUT.