Evaluation of research careers fully acknowledging Open Science practices : rewards, incentives and/or recognition for researchers practicing Open Science

Changing practice from the traditional approach in most disciplines will require a fundamental change in the way scientists carry out research in an Open Science environment. In order for this to be encouraged and incentivised, this changed approach must be recognised and rewarded by both employers (when recruiting and promoting researchers) and research funders (when performing peer review of researchers in grant applications). Moreover senior researchers must play a key role in this change as they are highly influential in the recruitment/promotion of researchers and conduct of peer review both for funding agencies and publishers. The approach of the group is rooted firmly in the context of researcher career development and closely linked with ERA Priority 3, an open labour market for researchers. The report provides background information on Open Science in relation to ERA policy, researcher assessment and career framework. It also describes different aspects of Open Science including Open Data, Open Peer Review and Citizen Science. The limitations of current recognition and reward processes are presented, with suggestions on how to alleviate these and how new paradigms can be envisioned and implemented. An illustration of taking a comprehensive approach to researcher assessment using the Open Science Career Assessment Matrix (OS-CAM) that recognises Open Science is developed. There is a brief analysis of the ERA Partnership policies and how Open Science can be included in the Human Resources Strategy for Researchers. Finally, the results of a survey carried out on Research Funding and Research Performing Organisations focusses on their approach to recognition and rewards for researchers engaged in Open Science. In addition, some good practice examples from across Europe are given.