Research evaluation: university players meet at UNamur

In the photo, from left to right: Gérôme Arnold, Judith Biernaux (ULiège); Valomanda Rakotondrahaso (UMons); William Riguelle (UNamur); Jonathan Dumont (ULiège); Virginie Pirard (ULB); Benoît-Xavier Lambert (Cref); Clothilde Collet (UCL); Carine Michiels (UNamur).

The restitution event was a highlight of the project, during which the results were presented to the entire research community. In particular, the project players presented the inter-university platform PINDARE (Plateforme INteruniversitaire D'Accompagenement de la REcherche et des chercheurs), linked to the CRef website, which is conceived as a single gateway to training courses, events, resources and projects offered by French-speaking universities.

After opening remarks by UNamur Rector Annick Castiaux and Vice-Rector for Research Carine Michiels, the day was resolutely focused on researchers.

The day's moderator, Christian du Brulle, was not chosen at random. He is in fact editor-in-chief of DailyScience.be, a Belgian news website that publishes articles in the field of scientific and technological discoveries.

The afternoon, dedicated to delving deeper into the themes linked to the FWB/CoARA project, was particularly enriching, offering in parallel a set of workshops, followed by plenary sessions featuring a succession of prestigious speakers from the European Commission, CNRS, EUA and UNESCO. Discussions covered a wide range of topics, from research evaluation to Open Access, ethics, scientific integrity and career issues for researchers.

Véronique Hallouin, General Secretary of the FNRS, and Marius Gilbert, ULB Vice-Rector for Research and Valorization, closed the day's proceedings.

In the photo, round table participants, from left to right: Jonathan Dumont, Chargé de mission CoARA (ULiège); Johan Rooryck, Executive Director of the cOAlition S-DIAMAS project; Laurence El Khouri, Deputy director of open research data department (DDOR) at the CNRS; David Oliva Uribe, Senior Consultant for UNESCO, Director of the Council for Doctoral Education at the European University Association; Marc Vanholsbeeck, Head of the coordination department at BELSPO (Belgian Science Policy).

A strong inter-university collaboration was highlighted, aimed at addressing crucial issues, particularly those defined by Europe. The impetus provided by the first subsidy from the Wallonia-Brussels Federation has helped to inaugurate a favorable dynamic, towards an overhaul of research evaluation.

However, the medium- and long-term structural changes required by such an ambition call for a phase of consolidation. This consolidation would have beneficial spin-offs not only for researchers, but also for the entire FWB research ecosystem, strengthening its level of excellence and competitiveness.

This event also provided an opportunity to foster exchanges and strengthen ties within the French-speaking academic community. Many thanks to all participants and speakers for helping to make this day a success!