CoARA Spotlight Presentation: Transformative Research Assessment: Integrating Societal Impacts into Evaluation Frameworks

As part of the CoARA Spotlight series, Prof. Dr. Raimund Bleischwitz (University College London) and Dr. Teresa Sordé Mari (Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona) presented on behalf of the Towards Transformation WG - Societal Impacts, presenting the first Type B CoARA-community endorsed output "Transformative Research Assessment: Integrating Societal Impacts into Evaluation Frameworks". Drawing on literature, existing national and institutional frameworks, and the experience of more than twenty members across countries and disciplines, the WG clarified key terms, mapped current approaches, and proposed practical ways forward. It defines societal impacts as the evidenced contributions of research to improvements beyond academia and examine why these impacts are challenging to plan for, document, and evaluate in a fair manner.