York St John joins global initiative to improve research evaluation

York St John University has joined more than 26,000 individuals and organisations worldwide in signing the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA). The commitment marks an important step in the University’s ambition to champion high‑quality, equitable research practices across all disciplines.  

DORA calls for research to be evaluated on its quality alone, rather than the prestige of the journal or publisher. It recognises the breadth of academic contributions, including supervision, knowledge exchange, applied practice, and public engagement. It also encourages responsible use of metrics in hiring, promotion, and funding decisions.   

Professor Rob Mortimer, Pro Vice Chancellor: Research and International, said: 

“York St John University is committed to research excellence and equity. By signing DORA, we are affirming our dedication to fairer assessment practices aligned with our institutional goals. Reducing reliance on journal‑based metrics supports diverse publishing routes and ensures that a broad range of research contributions are valued.” 

To put these principles into practice, the University Research Committee will lead a review of YSJ’s assessment processes in 2026, with recommendations to be published in early 2027. This work will include consultation with School Research Leads and Units of Assessment Leads and will align closely with preparations for REF 2029. 

Read about York St John University's Responsible Metrics Statement. 

Further details about DORA.