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Last updated on Tuesday 20 Dec 2022 at 10:27pm
A group of research funders, sector bodies, and infrastructure experts are working in partnership to promote the responsible use of research metrics.
The Forum for Responsible Research Metrics, chaired by Professor Max Lu, Vice-Chancellor at the University of Surrey, supports the responsible use of research metrics in higher education institutions and across the research community in the UK.
The Forum have a programme of activities, including:
The group was established in 2016, on the recommendation of the independent review on the role of metrics in research assessment and management. The review panel, chaired by Professor James Wilsdon, published their final report 'The Metric Tide', which identified 20 specific recommendations for further work and action by stakeholders across the UK research system.
Advice, reports, and meeting papers will be made available on this webpage in due course. Full membership can be found below.
Revised terms of reference (November 2021) [PDF]
In February 2017, the FFRRM produced advice for the UK HE Funding Bodies on the use of quantitative indicators in the assessment of outputs in REF2021. This advice was given in response to questions circulated by the former HEFCE as a basis for discussion at the Forum's first meeting.
FFRRM response to REF consultation on outputs [PDF]
Metrics form part of an evolving and increasingly digital research environment, where data and analysis are important. However, the current description, production, and use of these metrics are experimental and open to misunderstanding. They can lead to negative effects and behaviours as well as positive ones.
Responsible metrics can be defined by the following key principles (outlined in The Metric Tide):
The forum is chaired by Professor Max Lu, Vice-Chancellor at the University of Surrey. Its members are representatives and experts from university management, academic leadership, research administration and research metrics.
The partners recognise the wide interest in this work and expect to contact and involve other stakeholders in their discussions. The membership is provided below.
For further information please contact Joseph.Marriott@re.ukri.org.
Our monthly updates are a great way for you to stay up to date with our work, events, and higher education news.