Academic researcher career progression: results from university promotion policies collection and an academic survey

This Lighting talk will analyse data on career pathways and institutional policies to investigate how institutional structures of recognition and reward shape the uptake of principles and practices of Open Science and Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI). The term Open Science refers to the movement to make scientific research, data and dissemination accessible to all levels of inquiring society. RRI is a broader concept incorporating Open Science (along with Science Education, Public Engagement, Governance, Gender, Ethics); it involves society and innovation in science and tries to align these outcomes with the values of society. Our work seeks to add to our knowledge of how current institutional recognition and reward structures (especially as contained in promotion policies) shape open practices. Could it be that reward structures could be reshaped to foster increased adoption of these principles? To this end, this work involved two main activities: A qualitative study of institutional promotion policies to determine the extent to which a range of criteria relevant for Open Science and RRI practices are currently reflected. A survey of active researchers to assess their own opinions in relation to the current assessment criteria used in their own institutional promotion policies, as well as their own extent of uptake of Open Science/RRI, and reflections on what may further incentivise uptake. This work will present the collected data and the general conclusions that can be brought together to draw broader conclusions. It will set recommendations on the role and potential of existing as well as new RRI and Open Science incentives, as well as a proposal for new indicators that both incentivise researchers in applying RRI and Open Science principles as well as help them further develop their careers