Our course #Scientometrics with #OpenData was really fun to give the first time around with @MsPhelps @neesjanvaneck and @LudoWaltman and 30 participants. So much, that we're planning to run it again!

If you missed out, or the timezones weren't right for you then there's a second opportunity to take part:

https://www.cwts.nl/education/cwts-course-program/scientometrics-using-open-data

It has been greatest privilege to serve as chair of DORA and I am so proud of the way the team & steering committee have worked together over the past 6 yrs to establish DORA as a global force for good in the research assessment reform movement. 1/2 https://sfdora.org/2023/11/27/bidding-farewell-to-stephen-curry-chair-of-dora/

I’m also delighted and excited that DORA now has brilliant new leadership team to take the organisation forward. My very best wishes to co-chairs Ginny Barbour & Kelly Cobey, and to vice-chair Rebecca Lawrence. I will be cheering them on from the sidelines! 2/2 https://sfdora.org/2023/11/27/dora-welcomes-new-co-chairs-and-vice-chair/

Good piece from @lizziegadd from June about how #REF2028 might assess research culture (as thresholds to meet, set by institution, rather than as a ranking, with all the perverse side-effects of competition)

https://wonkhe.com/blogs/my-research-culture-is-better-than-yours/

I'm on a podcast with @lizziegadd talking about a new university league table which is just "cold coffee" https://hedx.com.au/podcast-hedx-episode-98/

5) Provide qualitative data alongside the quantitative. Perhaps using #MoreThanOurRank statements where HEIs showcase all the stuff that can’t be counted. But don’t just talk about recognising that HEIs are “much much more than their rank”, do something about it. 6/6

4) Move towards profiles not rankings. Don’t play god by arbitrarily weighting certain characteristics, surface them all as a spidergram, and let the user decide what matters. 5/6

3) Be honest about uncertainty. Visualising the error inherent in ranking data will give the lie to any idea that one HEI is categorically better or worse than another. 4/6

2) Make space for all universities. Excluding some creates a class system: the rankables and the unrankables which is completely unacceptable. 3/6

1) Ditch flagship rankings that claim to identify the world’s “top” universities based on a single Westernised view as to what “good” looks like. It’s no good creating 100s of subject/topical alternatives if you’re still producing an overarching list. 2/6

Given the increasing pushback against university rankings I have offered them some free advice about how they might need to adapt if they are to survive. https://wonkhe.com/blogs/for-those-about-to-rank-universities/

Bill Clinton banned assault weapons in 1994; mass shootings dropped by 43%.

George W. Bush and the GOP let the assault weapons ban expire in 2004; mass shootings increased by 245%.

These numbers tell the whole story.

If you’re thrilled, horrified, confused or bemused by the University of Utrecht’s decision to withdraw from the Times Higher World University Rankings, this is for you!

Withdrawing from the university rankings: the Utrecht story. Speakers: @jeroenbosman & Jacob Nelson. 11 December, 15.00-16.00 GMT. Book for free! 👇🏻

https://inorms.net/more-than-our-rank-community-calls/

@stux

"America is a Gun" by @brianbilston

I’m not convinced that admin wants us to do research. I think they totally want us to have done research, but they really don’t want us to do research.
#academia #academicchatter #academicmastodon

On November 15/16 the #JEDI annual meeting will take place https://dpjedi.org/events/jedi-2023-annual-meeting.html. There will be two panel discussions:

(1) Experiences with correcting the scientific record

(2) Transparency in peer review: challenges and opportunities

I'm delighted to chair the second panel!

Very proud of Utrecht University @utrechtuniversity for choosing not to participate in the THE 2024 World University Ranking (by not supplying information).

That's how it can be done.

https://dub.uu.nl/nl/nieuws/universiteit-utrecht-doet-niet-meer-mee-met-ranking (in Dutch)

EUA publishes guide with considerations for the use of university rankings. States: rankings continue to face criticism for choice of indicators, methods, lack of transparency on what they tell about institutional quality and excellence. https://bit.ly/3ZRw64H
Delighted that they recommend HEIs sign up to INORMS #MoreThanOurRank initiative! https://inorms.net/more-than-our-rank/