A bimonthly publication of AQU Catalunya

43

July 2009

Since I have held the post of President of AQU Catalunya, a significant number of the comments and suggestions I have received have been associated with several of the criteria used to assess research by university academic staff in the fields of the Humanities and Social Sciences. Such criticisms brought to my attention have generally questioned certain assessment criteria applied by different regional and national quality assurance agencies. The problem is therefore one not just of the agency that I am the head of, and it is one that more than likely goes beyond assessment in itself.

It is widely known that the culture of assessment has to be introduced, with consideration being taken of the specific nature of each area of science and, within this, the differences that exist between areas of knowledge. The distribution of economic resources for research and the assurance of a particular level of quality in the work of university academic staff obligates the establishment of viable assessment methodologies, as well as impact criteria and indicators, which need to be measurable and objectifiable.

Despite efforts to objectify the assessment criteria, there has customarily been a lack of broad consensus concerning assessment of the disciplines in the fields of the Humanities and the Social Sciences. One of the reasons for this is the fact that there have been no internationally accepted impact indicators as in other scientific fields. It is also difficult to fit together an international approach with a projection in a more local setting or context. The higher degree of insatisfaction regarding assessment in these fields in relation to others is moreover in itself sufficient cause for reflection.

I believe that it is the duty of an institution such as AQU Catalunya to contribute to this debate. The Agency is therefore organising, together with the collaboration of the AGAUR, the Catalan government's agency that manages university and research grants, and the support of the Catalan universities, a workshop titled Research assessment in the Humanities and the Social Sciences, which forms part of the 12th Series of AQU workshops with the Catalan universities. The workshop will take place on 28-29 January 2010 at the main building of the University of Barcelona, which is hosting the event.

The aim of the workshop is discussion and reflection on research assessment in these two fields, the identification of common benchmarks, and greater consensus regarding the assessment criteria, with acknowledgement of the levels of quality of international scope. In no way will the workshop intend to establish a "clean slate" for assessment systems or criteria, nor will the focus be on particular cases or lists of grievances. The workshop is meant to serve as a space for everybody, albeit critical or not, who has reflected on assessment criteria and systems and their implications so they can express themselves, make constructive ideas and suggestions as to how the points where most friction occurs can be improved, all within the context of what has already been developed as a result of the Agency's own experience and that of other European agencies. Discussion and reflection in the workshop will serve to increase our knowledge and understanding of this issue, and it is intended that the conclusions will serve to enhance the existing assessment criteria.