The Multiversatory
Opening research assessment to multiple perspectives, contexts and knowledge systems.
A shared space for developing open, participatory and context-sensitive approaches to responsible research assessment.
Recognising the Many Dimensions of Research
The Multiversatory is the central innovation of OPENRAM, conceived as both an open research information infrastructure and a conceptual and methodological framework for responsible research assessment.
Research contributions take many forms, from scientific publications and datasets to software, policy engagement and societal impact. Their relevance and value depend on the contexts in which knowledge is produced, communicated and used.
The Multiversatory embraces this diversity by connecting research information, analytical approaches and stakeholder perspectives to support more inclusive, transparent and meaningful evaluation practices.
Three Interconnected Foundations
Open & Federated Infrastructure
Connecting global bibliometric databases, national and regional repositories, scholarly publishing platforms and locally relevant research information sources to improve the visibility and representation of diverse scientific contributions.
Context-Sensitive & Multi-Perspective Assessment
Developing quantitative and qualitative approaches that respond to different evaluation purposes, research missions, disciplinary characteristics and geographical settings, from individual researchers to national research systems.
Participatory Living Lab
Creating a collaborative environment where researchers, institutions, policymakers, funders and communities can co-create, test and refine research assessment approaches through dialogue, experimentation and collective learning.
How the Multiversatory Works
The Multiversatory will evolve through interconnected processes of data integration, methodological development, experimentation and participatory learning.
Connect
Bring together diverse open research information sources and infrastructures.
Develop
Design contextualised indicators, methods and evaluation frameworks.
Experiment
Explore and test approaches through case studies, technical implementations and participatory actions.
Refine
Integrate empirical findings and stakeholder insights to improve the infrastructure and methods.
Connecting Diverse Sources of Evidence
The Multiversatory aims to bring together conventional bibliometric information and alternative sources of research data. This includes publications, citations, datasets, software, funding information, national research information systems, institutional repositories and indicators of societal engagement.
By expanding data coverage and exploring different analytical perspectives, the Multiversatory will contribute to addressing gaps in the representation of disciplines, regions and knowledge systems, particularly those of the Global South.
From Concepts to Research Practices
The Multiversatory develops in close interaction with OPENRAM’s Experiences. These research activities investigate assessment challenges in different institutional, disciplinary and geographical settings.
Empirical findings inform the development of the Multiversatory, while its data, tools and analytical approaches support further research and experimentation.
Explore Research in Action →Towards a More Inclusive Global Research Ecosystem
The Multiversatory builds on international efforts to advance responsible research assessment, including CoARA, DORA, FOLEC and the Leiden Manifesto. Its commitment to open research information also aligns with the Barcelona Declaration.
By combining open infrastructures, contextualised methodologies and participatory engagement, the Multiversatory seeks to expand how research contributions are understood, represented and valued.
Making research assessment more responsive to the diversity of science and the communities it serves.