In 2018, Poland initiated a groundbreaking transformation in its higher education sector with the adoption of the Constitution for Science, aligning it with EU standards. A pivotal aspect of this reform was the introduction of new research assessment criteria, marking a significant departure from conventional practices.
The inaugural assessment results, unveiled in August 2022, classified disciplines within institutions based on three key criteria: (1) research output quality, (2) external research funding acquisition, and (3) societal and economic impact. The outcomes, ranging from A+ to C, directly influence institutional autonomy, program development, doctoral rights, academic or vocational distinctions, and funding allocation—ultimately shaping public perception.
Administered by the Science Evaluation Committee, the Ministry of Education has the decisive role in categorizing each discipline. However, the initial assessment faced a wave of dissatisfaction, with nearly half of the evaluated disciplines seeking reevaluation.
Amidst the criticism, Marcin Pałys, a former University of Warsaw rector, highlighted unexpected anomalies, such as technical universities excelling in law disciplines. Responding to concerns, Education Minister Przemysław Czarnek anticipates positive resolutions for the majority of reevaluation requests.
While acknowledging the need for improvement, Pałys emphasizes an evolutionary approach, focusing on refining the existing system. Proposals include simplifying the complex assessment algorithm for predictability and tailoring research output criteria to suit diverse disciplines.
Looking ahead, Deputy Minister Włodzimierz Bernacki aims to unveil amended evaluation criteria by mid-2023, emphasizing procedural enhancement without altering the fundamental structure. Bernacki advocates incorporating universities' contribution to ongoing scientific staff education, proposing adjustments to criteria assessing societal impact, including scores for popular science publications.
Despite challenges, there is a unanimous consensus on the necessity of research assessments. Polish academics express interest in contributing to the European Commission's research assessment initiative, emphasizing collaboration for continuous improvement.
In December, the Coalition for Advancement of Research Assessment (CoARA) was established, with Polish institutions playing a prominent role alongside Italian counterparts, signifying a collective commitment to advancing research evaluation methodologies.
Source: https://sciencebusiness.net/widening/news/Assessment/poland-rework-research-assessment-scheme