The world of academic research is changing fast, and keeping up with new technologies and global shifts can be challenging. A new report from Digital Science on Research Transformation (‘Research Transformation: Change in the era of AI, open and impact: voices from the academic community’) surveyed 380 people working across 70 countries, taking the temperature of the modern research institution.
The resulting report dives into these shifts, taking in Open Research, research security, changing approaches to metrics, and of course – that most popular and controversial of topics – AI.
In this blog, we will run through some of the key takeaways for librarians and the research office.
Open Research: A Major Shift
We’re not surprised to see the importance of Open Research highlighted in the report. The move toward Open Research has been one of the biggest changes in the past five years, and 82% of survey respondents say it’ll have the biggest impact on research in the next five. But there are still some big challenges around lack of awareness, funding, and infrastructure.
For librarians and research professionals, the growth of Open Research – while welcomed – is one which can add considerable complexity. Increasingly, librarians and research administrators are tasked with helping researchers navigate open practices, figure out licenses, and publish more diverse outputs.
This means that OA is becoming a cornerstone of the library’s evolving role. Responding as part of the survey, Daniel Becker, Collections, and Instruction Librarian for the Harvard Botany Libraries, said: “As academic librarians, we won’t survive as a profession if all we do is manage collections – especially considering we’ll see a lot more OA publishing. If the perception is that “everything is available online, for free,” librarians will be hard pressed to explain why we’re still relevant. Librarians are going to need to up their game a little bit and become more assertive about the value we add to academia’s teaching and research missions.”
To help embed new ways of working across institutions, the report recommends that librarians advocate for open research practices, including training in publishing more research outputs and guidance on associated licensing.
👀At Symplectic, we’ve always been ahead of the curve when it comes to open access and open data, and have championed openness since 2009. You can find out more in our recent blog, A Potted History of OA at Symplectic.
👀On the subject of open research, we’re looking forward to next month’s upcoming annual report, The State of Open Data 2024, which will delve more deeply into attitudes, trends, and challenges in this evolving space. You can sign up here to receive a copy on publication.
Impact Evaluation: Moving Beyond Traditional Metrics
The way we evaluate research is shifting. There’s a growing desire for more holistic research metrics that go beyond the traditional citation counts and rankings. According to the report, 77% of respondents expect to spend more time on research impact and evaluation over the next five years.
Several survey respondents focussed on the move away from ‘hard’ metrics, which brings opportunities but also challenges. For example, Jingwen Mu, Director of Institutional Research and Strategic Planning at Hong Kong Baptist University pointed out that “trying to change the research culture of the university to try and do things like look at public engagement and impact in a way that won’t bring you hard metrics…is a real challenge.”
“You are often trying to advocate for that change to people that flourished in the old system.”
The report recommends recognizing non-traditional contributions and encouraging the adoption of a broader range of impact metrics; for example, embracing initiatives like DORA to promote responsible research assessment.
Technology and AI: Cautious Optimism
With 79% of respondents expecting technology to be a major driver of change, it’s clear that AI and emerging technologies are a space to watch. For librarians, AI is already making its mark, with 49% of responding librarians using AI tools to support their work.
However, many respondents are worried about skill gaps and ethical concerns around AI use, especially when it comes to research integrity and security.
AI is seen by many as a means to streamline tasks and boost efficiencies in research management, but only if staff are equipped to harness its potential. As Jason Glenn, Director of Research and Information Management Services at Carnegie Mellon University says, “I think it’s quite true that AI will only take the jobs of people who don’t know how to use it. I can see the potential benefit of leveraging AI technology if done right, but that is a big IF.”
Collaboration: Driving External Partnerships
80% of researchers say that working with partners outside academia is changing the way research is done. However, collaboration is not easy, particularly across the sometimes highly disconnected world of academia: 31% of respondents expressed concerns around siloed data and knowledge in their roles today. Funding and mitigation of risk were also brought up as challenges, along with navigating the associated complexities and politics of partnerships. The report concludes that “Institutions need to be more intentional in how they support researchers in identifying new collaborations that support broader institutional goals”.
“You have to step a fine line between allowing everyone’s individual collaborations and relationships to flourish while also having a strategic lens,” said Sally Smith, Director of Research at Trinity College Dublin. “This is one of those areas where money talks.”
“What I would like to see is greater collaboration internationally without adhering to local agendas,” said Kosta Tabakis, Research Advisor, University of Otago. “There needs to be an increased effort in building these collaborations, not just having these researchers on projects as add ons…I think you need to include this expertise in the entire research lifecycle.”
👀 If you’re interested in this topic, keep an eye on the Symplectic blog in the coming weeks, as we’ll be publishing a deep-dive report into some of the considerations for institutions engaging in academic-industry partnerships.
What Does This Mean for You?
“Our report speaks loudly of the technological advancements, new research practices and global problems driving change in academia,” says Simon Porter, VP Research Futures at Digital Science, says. “These transformations have created both opportunities and obstacles for institutions and the sector at large.”
The report concludes with several recommendations for professionals working in the changing research landscape, to help them prepare for the future.
- Librarians: Keep evolving your role by teaching researchers how to use AI tools effectively, advocating for open research practices, and helping researchers navigate the complexities of publishing and licensing.
- Research offices: Take a proactive approach to research security and partnerships, and embrace new metrics that go beyond the traditional citations and rankings. Recognizing non-traditional research contributions is key to building a more inclusive research culture.
Want to dive deeper into the findings? Check out the Research Transformation Report