Perspectives on the strengths & weaknesses of the research assessment system in Romania - Survey report

This study presents the results of a survey conducted to gather the opinions of Romanian researchers regarding current research assessment practices in Romania, as well as emerging ones at European and international levels, by identifying their strengths and weaknesses. Moreover, the survey sought to engage researchers from various fields and career stages to gather insights into how the national research evaluation system influences research activities, career development, and the functioning of research institutions.

This activity was conducted by UEFISCDI as part of pilot activities within the SECURE project - Sustainable Careers for Researcher Empowerment. The SECURE project is funded by the EU through the Horizon Europe program and is implemented by a consortium of 17 partners from various European countries, aiming to contribute to improving research careers and reducing the career precariousness faced by researchers across Europe.

The survey was conducted between February-March 2025 and collected 1,342 responses, providing a robust dataset that reflects the views of a wide range of researchers in Romania.

Objectives:

The survey aimed to achieve several key objectives:

·       To gather insights into the most frequently used metrics in research assessment at national level, including their perceived strengths and limitations.

·       To evaluate the effectiveness of the current system and identify areas where improvements could be made.

·       To capture researchers' views on emerging evaluation practices at the European and international levels.

·       To capture suggestions for potential improvements in the national research assessment system.