Valorisatie in Nature

Hun brief in Nature klinkt als volgt:

Broadening the impact of university research on society(Nature 465, 416-418; 2010) should be included in theacademic reward structure. The present scientific reward systemthreatens to imprison academics in their ivory towers. It is ruledby bibliometric quality indicators spawned by the rise insystematic performance evaluations (L. K. Hessels, H. van Lente andR. Smits Sci.Public Policy 36, 387-401; 2009).

Originally a means of communication, publication has become an endin itself. Demonstrating the relevance to society of a researchproposal helps to get it funded. But in practice, scientists arerewarded for their contribution to a field’s progress, and not forits impact on society or the economy.

Hiring and promotion criteria and the evaluation of research groupsand institutes need to be expanded to include factors for broaderimpact, alongside publication records and citation  scores.Research councils could consider shifting part of their money frominput funding to output funding. Cash awards might also be offeredfor broader-impact results (Nature 465, 398; 2010).

Laurens K. Hessels, Harro van Lente
Innovation Studies Group, Utrecht University, PO Box 80115, 3508 TCUtrecht, the Netherlands e-mail: l.hessels@geo.uu.nl