GRC Launches Guide for Responsible Research Assessment

The Global Research Council’s (GRC) Responsible Research Assessment (RRA) Working Group, together with Science Europe and DORA, has published A Practical Guide to Implementing Responsible Research Assessment at Research Funding Organizations. The guide, available here at https://sfdora.org/resource/rfo-practical-guide/, provides practical recommendations for research funders to move beyond narrow metric-based approaches, such as journal impact factors and citation counts, toward more holistic, fair, transparent, and inclusive systems of assessing research and researchers.

Ms Nosisa Dube, Manager: Evaluation and Impact at the NRF, represented the organisation during the guide’s Africa-Europe pre-launch, which took place virtually on 14 May 2026. The publication will be officially launched at the GRC’s Annual Meeting in Bangkok, Thailand, in May 2026. This marks a major milestone for the advancement of global reforms that recognise diverse research contributions, including societal impact, interdisciplinary collaboration, mentorship, open science, and community engagement.

In the publication’s foreword, Dr Gugu Moche, Deputy CEO of the NRF, emphasises that responsible research assessment is essential to building fair, inclusive, and impactful systems. She highlights the pivotal role of funders in shaping incentives that influence research culture and calls for excellence in all its forms. Dr Moche also stresses the need for funding agencies to adapt to rapid changes in the research landscape and to move beyond narrow evaluation practices by adopting evidence‑informed approaches.

For Africa, the guide carries particular significance. It supports the creation of context‑sensitive and equitable evaluation systems that reflect African priorities, societal needs, and research contributions. By providing a framework to strengthen excellence, innovation, and impact, it ensures African researchers and institutions are assessed fairly within global systems. Importantly, it reinforces Africa’s role in shaping international reform through the promotion of approaches that value locally relevant research, collaborative partnerships, capacity development, and contributions to sustainable development.