Does science need heroes?

Does science need heroes or does it need to reform? Idolizing heroes can worsen bias, inequality, and competition in science. Yet, it does require good leadership to ignite structural change. This commentary for a Rijksmuseum Boerhaave symposium on prize cultures aims to address this paradox.

Sarah de Rijcke • October 11, 2023

Building knowledge infrastructure to support research assessment reforms: Dispatches from the Dutch Recognition and Rewards Festival 2022

In this blog post we reflect on knowledge infrastructures currently emerging to support organizations that are pursuing research assessment reforms, and call on sociologists of science and research evaluation researchers to study and contribute to these unfolding developments.

Alex Rushforth, Marta Sienkiewicz and Sarah de Rijcke • February 23, 2022

Responsible Research Culture: Practicing what we preach at CWTS

CWTS prepares for a new phase in its organization. In our new strategy, we aim to put our values first. A value-based strategy is the cornerstone of a well-functioning, positive research culture. Through open dialogue sessions we started to further shape this culture.

Sarah de Rijcke • July 20, 2021

Halt the h-index

Using the h-index in research evaluation? Rather not. But why not, actually? Why is using this indicator so problematic? And what are the alternatives anyway? Our authors walk you through an infographic that addresses these questions and aims to highlight some key issues in this discussion.

Sarah de Rijcke, Ludo Waltman and Thed van Leeuwen • May 19, 2021 • 3 comments

recognition and rewards

Blogs

Does science need heroes?

Building knowledge infrastructure to support research assessment reforms: Dispatches from the Dutch Recognition and Rewards Festival 2022

Responsible Research Culture: Practicing what we preach at CWTS

Halt the h-index