PASTEUR2030
Institut Pasteur commits to inclusive research evaluation
The Institut Pasteur is committing to open and inclusive research with the publication of its CoARA action plan (Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment).
The international initiative CoARA was launched in 2022 to promote more inclusive research assessment practices. It encourages qualitative peer evaluation practices based on the responsible use of bibliometrics, and greater recognition of scientists' diverse contributions, including open science, teaching, software development and societal impact.
To date, the coalition has brought together over 800 research organisations worldwide, including the Institut Pasteur, which joined in 2024. The colation is founded on a set of ten commitments that advocate a qualitative approach to scientific assessment and the continuous improvement of procedures, particularly through exchanges among coalition members. The Institut Pasteur's commitment is fully in line with its ambitious open science policy.
By publishing its action plan, the Institut Pasteur is sharing with the entire international community the nature of its actions in support of the cross-cutting assessment of scientific activities. It outlines the ongoing assessment procedures led primarily by COMESP and the Scientific Council.
The COMESP rules have undergone a thorough overhaul in recent months. All the criteria grids and assessment forms now consider not only the role and qualifications of each individual, but also the diversity of their activities, their working environment, their involvement in activities serving the Institut, and their responsibility toward colleagues. All these documents are available on the COMESP page on ePasteur.
The Scientific Council's procedures for assessing research units have also evolved, building on the principles promoted by CoARA. The Council now takes a more comprehensive view of the units' activities when assessing them, taking into account not only scientific excellence, but also the unit head's leadership and management capabilities, their ability to secure funding, and their commitment to serving science and the Institut.