Engagement and outreach policy for organizational signatories to the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment
Public statements by organizational signatories
DORA has asked institutional signatories to post a statement on their commitment to DORA and responsible research assessment since November 7, 2022.
Beginning January 1, 2025, DORA requires all new organizations that sign the declaration to publish a public statement detailing their commitment to DORA principles and responsible research assessment to their communities, and to share a link to that statement with DORA.
All existing signatories (including those that signed before November 7, 2022) are asked to have their public statement posted by January 1, 2026, and email DORA (info@sfdora.org) with the link to that statement. The DORA website will be updated to link to public statements from signatories about their commitment to DORA principles.
A public statement serves to express an institution’s commitment to improving research and researcher assessment within their institutions, and to clearly communicate the institution’s current status regarding DORA implementation. DORA believes that one of the best ways to ensure effective implementation is for signatories to share their plans for research assessment reform with their research community and to encourage ongoing dialogue.
DORA recognizes that signatories may be at different stages of research assessment reform, and that real change, especially in large and complex institutions, takes time. The requirement for public statements is meant to foster and support an international community of learning that is committed in good faith to meaningful improvement in research and researcher assessment.
Beyond the initial statement supporting DORA principles, DORA also recommends that organizational signatories keep their communities informed as implementation of the principles of the declaration proceeds. We recommend institutions update their initial public statements periodically to ensure they remain current. To help build momentum for change, DORA will also seek opportunities to publicize good practices developed or adopted by signatory and non-signatory organizations.
Outreach to organizational signatories that are not upholding DORA principles
DORA checks for a public statement but does not accredit signatories’ compliance with DORA principles. Thus, DORA is unable to respond to individuals contacting the initiative privately about an organization’s perceived failures to uphold DORA principles.
In cases where credible public information (for example, multiple independent reports, or newspaper articles) indicates that an organization may be systematically contravening specific principles expressed in the Declaration, the Executive Board will contact the organization to seek clarification and, if necessary, engage in constructive dialogue to provide clearer guidance on responsible research assessment practices. As far as possible, dialogue between DORA and a signatory organization will be conducted discreetly. However, DORA reserves the right, especially where it is in the interests of the broader scholarly community or of the credibility of the declaration, to comment publicly on the issues at stake.
We believe that this approach represents a responsible balance between encouraging adoption of DORA and supporting signatory organizations so that they can make change.
Policy approved on December 20, 2024.