OPENRAM presented at ASCUN 2026: Rethinking research assessment through epistemic equity
24–25 September 2026 | Santa Marta, Colombia
OPENRAM was presented at the 2026 National Meeting of Vice-Rectors and Directors of Research, organised by the Colombian Association of Universities (ASCUN) in Santa Marta, Colombia.
The fourth thematic session of the meeting concluded with an international panel discussion titled “Reinventing Scientific Assessment from Complexity and Epistemic Equity: The OpenRAM Responsible Global Framework.”
Moderated by Gabriel Vélez-Cuartas, Coordinator of CoLaV at the Universidad de Antioquia and Director of ImpactU, the discussion brought together researchers and experts from different national and institutional contexts, including Zehra Taşkın (Hacettepe University, Türkiye), Fernanda Beigel (Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Argentina), Jorge Polanco (Costa Rica), and Alejandra Hurtado Tarazona (UNAM, Mexico).
The panel introduced OPENRAM (Opening Research Assessment to Multi-Contexts), a four-year international research initiative funded by the European Union under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Staff Exchanges programme. The project aims to advance more inclusive, responsible, and context-sensitive approaches to research assessment through open research information infrastructures, participatory methodologies, and international collaboration.
Discussions focused on the limitations of conventional research metrics, the importance of epistemic diversity, and the need to recognise knowledge production across different geographical, institutional, and disciplinary contexts. Regional infrastructures and initiatives, including Latindex and ImpactU, were highlighted as important resources for strengthening the representation of Latin American research.
Participants also reflected on opportunities for reforming research assessment in Colombia, emphasising the importance of institutional engagement and regional collaboration. The discussion identified the potential for future cooperation with ASCUN, including a proposed course-workshop on responsible research assessment.
The event provided an opportunity to introduce OPENRAM’s vision to university research leaders and to contribute to ongoing discussions on building fairer and more inclusive research assessment systems across Latin America.
