In a significant event for the Spanish scientific and university environment, the Valencian Agency for Assessment and Forecasting (AVAP) took part in the presentation of the National Chapter Spain, a pioneering initiative aimed at reforming research evaluation processes in Spain. This important meeting, organised by the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities in collaboration with CRUE, the National Agency for Quality Assessment and Accreditation (ANECA), and the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), took place at the Ministry’s headquarters.
During the conference, inaugurated by the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Universities, Juan Cruz Cigudosa, the importance of open science was highlighted as “a powerful lever for change” to democratise access to knowledge and ensure its role as a driver of economic progress and social welfare.
The National Chapter Spain presents itself as a coalition of 84 national institutions, including quality agencies, research centres, universities, and other bodies, with the aim of reviewing and developing criteria, tools and procedures for research evaluation. This joint effort seeks to foster a space for mutual learning and collaboration at both national and European level, interacting with other National Chapters and with the Coalition for the Advancement of Research Assessment (CoARA).
The day served to analyse the European and national context of research evaluation, share institutional experiences on evaluation criteria and methodologies, and discuss the importance of multidisciplinarity and interdisciplinarity. Leading figures such as the president of the CSIC, Eloísa del Pino, the director of ANECA, Pilar Paneque, and the president of CRUE, Eva Alcón, participated in the event, which was also attended by rectors, vice-rectors, directors of accreditation agencies and other experts.
