Researcher development

DORA recognises the need to improve the ways in which research is evaluated. It aims to challenge and transform the current research culture that places significant emphasis on journal-based metrics such as Journal Impact Factor as a measure of research quality.

DORA also values and aims to meaningfully assess the range of outputs from scientific research, including research articles, research data, reagents and software; intellectual property; and highly trained scientists.

As a university we are committed to assessing research on its own merits rather than on the basis of the journal in which the research is published.

DORA is especially relevant as we work to:

• provide a research environment that inspires innovation and enables people at all stages of their careers to reach their full potential
• recognise, inspire and retain early career researchers to create scientific leaders of the future
• maximise the impact of our research and its contribution to scientific knowledge and clinical practice

To achieve the whole system culture change advocated by DORA and its supporters, the university will:

• Issue a statement of commitment to the DORA principles on the SGUL website.
• Provide training, guidance and resources on open science.
• Provide guidance to senior staff on good practice in research(er) evaluation during hiring, promotion and reward with a suite of options for requesting and measuring the range of academic contributions to research (including the CREDiT taxonomy and Résumé for Researchers toolkit produced by the Royal Society).
• Provide guidance and workshops for researchers to raise awareness of tools for recording/evidencing the full range of their contributions to high-quality scientific research on CVs and promotions applications.
• Develop a programme of advocacy and communication to raise awareness of these initiatives.
• Explore opportunities to identify areas where good practice isn’t being upheld.
• Develop a process to monitor and report on progress.

In 2020 the University established a DORA Working Group (agreed by Research Committee) to explore the integration of DORA principles and practices into our research environment and culture.

The Working Group is chaired by the Director of Cross-Cutting Research Themes and Academic Lead for REF2021, Professor Jodi Lindsay, who leads the implementation of a DORA action plan, acting on behalf of the Deputy Principal (Research and Enterprise), Professor Jon Friedland, who signed the declaration on behalf of the University.

The Working Group’s action plan was approved by Research Committee in June 2020. We have already taken the following positive steps to embed the DORA principles at CSGUL:

• Issued clear guidance to the promotions committee on using publication metrics responsibly for academic promotions
• Delivered training on the DORA principles in the context of REF2021
• Delivered guidance to PhD students, postdoctoral researchers and academic staff on communicating their research achievements in line with DORA expectations. This guide can be found in the resources section below.

The DORA Working Group includes representatives from all levels of the university’s academic community as well as representatives from professional services. The members are:

• Jodi Lindsay (Chair – Institute for Infection & Immunity)
• Síle Molloy (Deputy Chair - Institute for Infection & Immunity)
• Laura Southgate (Senior Lecturer representative - Molecular and Clinical Sciences Research Institute)
• Krystal Francis (Human Resources representative – Professional Services)
• Carly Lightfoot (Library Research Services Manager – Professional Services)
• Jennifer Smith (Research Publications representative – Professional Services)
• Sarah Stewart (Research Data Management representative – Professional Services)

Progress on DORA will be regularly reported at Research Committee.

Recruitment and promotions

• Contributed to CSGUL recruitment policy (in development)
• DORA and promotions at City St George’s – guidance for the Academic Promotions Committee (PDF)
• DORA guidance for external reviewers (in development)

Careers development for researchers

• DORA Summary of research achievements: A guide to highlighting individual contributions to research as alternatives to traditional metrics (PDF)
• Contributed to City St George's six-years review action plan for implementing The Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers

Responsible research assessment

• Guidance for using publication metrics responsibly (PowerPoint)

The most significant research collaboration at City St George’s is with St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. The Tooting campus and the Hospital together form a co-located teaching hospital and healthcare-campus partnership in south London. We have always shared the tripartite mission of medical schools and their teaching hospitals – teaching, research, and clinical service.

Academic Health and Social Care Network provides world-class health and social care services to people living in south west London. This partnership is made up of all of the key health and social care organisations in South West London’s six boroughs.

The South West London and St George's Mental Health Trust provides the full range of mental health and social care services for the local population including those with learning disabilities, children and adolescents, adults of working age and older people. In addition, the trust provide regional and national specialist services, including eating disorders, personality disorders, forensics and deaf services.