Case studies for the “Reimagining academic assessment: stories of innovation and change” repository serve as a source of inspiration for organizations and institutions looking to improve their academic career assessment practices.
Ideally, each case study also provides an honest account of any barriers to change that were encountered and how these were overcome. By providing real-world examples of the task of implementing reform, the case studies are collectively helping to facilitate a “practical turn” toward implementation of fair and responsible academic career assessment practices. The development and implementation of new practices at an organizational level takes time, and typically occurs over a number of years. The national and institutional context of the organization also influences the change process.
We welcome case studies from organizations at various stages of academic assessment reform, especially those at transitional stages because these can be the most challenging steps for institutions to navigate.
Case studies are identified in two ways: 1) they can be solicited directly by DORA staff or 2) organizations and initiatives can ask to be featured as a case study. Before a case study can be solicited from DORA or a request by an organization is accepted, a committee made-up of representatives from DORA, the European University Association (EUA), and SPARC Europe will approve the case study based on a set of selection criteria defined below:
- Demonstrated aspirations to improve academic career assessment at an organizational level.
- Holistic approaches to academic career assessment are embraced by leadership at the organization.
- Demonstrated action for academic career assessment reform, such as the creation of working groups or task forces, development of principles or policies, academic community engagement efforts, etc.
- Organizational awareness and commitment to support equity and inclusion of underrepresented and minortized researchers.
DORA is mindful of the intersections between academic career assessment and issues of equity, inclusion, and participation in higher education (see here and here). We particularly encourage case studies highlighting academic career assessment practices that are allied with moves to increase the diversity of the Academy and are inclusive of gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation and gender expression, and disabilities.
If your organization is interested in becoming a case study, please reach out to info@sfdora.org.