The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA) is a global initiative aimed at improving the way research outputs are evaluated. Since its launch in 2012, DORA has gained traction among institutions, researchers, and organizations worldwide. Its core message is simple: research should be assessed based on its intrinsic quality and impact, not on the metrics of the journal in which it is published.

For decades, the journal impact factor (JIF) has been a dominant measure in evaluating research quality. However, over-reliance on JIF often distorts priorities, incentivizing publication in high-impact journals over groundbreaking, diverse, or socially impactful research. DORA challenges this approach by promoting principles that:

As an academic committed to fair and meaningful evaluation of research, I have personally signed DORA. By doing so, I join a growing community advocating for assessment practices that prioritize quality, originality, and broader societal contributions.

I encourage my fellow academics to explore the principles of DORA, reflect on how we evaluate research, and consider joining this movement. Signing DORA is a small yet powerful step toward fostering a more inclusive and innovative research culture.

To learn more and sign the declaration, visit DORA’s official website. Together, we can reshape the way research is valued and celebrated.