CoARA Opens Nominations for Steering Board Elections
The research assessment coalition is seeking candidates for its leadership positions including Chair and board members.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Elections
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The Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment (CoARA) has issued a call for candidates to fill its Chair, Vice-Chair, and seven Steering Board member positions. These roles are critical to managing the governance and strategic direction of the global coalition.
Why it matters
The Steering Board holds responsibility for the long-term sustainability and strategic oversight of CoARA, ensuring the organization remains aligned with its mission. Selecting new leadership is essential for maintaining the coalition's momentum in shaping research assessment standards.
The election includes one Chair position and seven Steering Board member slots. Organizations must have secured membership status by October 1, 2026, to submit a candidate and by November 24, 2026, to be eligible to vote.
The players
Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment (CoARA)
CoARA is an international coalition that coordinates global efforts to reform research assessment practices.
The details
Member organizations are invited to nominate candidates who are either employees or formally affiliated with their respective institutions. The upcoming election process will determine the leadership team tasked with guiding the coalition's future governance and activities.
Timeline
October 1, 2026: Deadline for organizations to hold membership to nominate candidates.
October 12, 2026: Official call for candidates launched.
November 11, 2026: Deadline for submitting candidate nominations.
November 24, 2026: Online voting begins for the Steering Board election.
Political Context
Opponents or skeptics of the coalition often point to the potential for bureaucratic centralization within international research bodies. Critics frequently raise concerns that rigid governance structures may slow down the agile implementation of reforms across diverse national academic systems.
For affiliated researchers and staff, this election determines the strategic priorities that may influence how their own institutions adjust research assessment criteria. Participating organizations should ensure their membership status is confirmed by November 24 to maintain voting eligibility.
The takeaway
The election of a new board provides a clear opportunity for member institutions to influence the future of global research evaluation standards. Organizations should review the eligibility requirements immediately to ensure they do not miss the upcoming nomination deadline.
What happens next
The nomination period concludes on November 11, 2026, with online voting scheduled to begin on November 24, 2026.
Further reading
Learn more about organizational governance and participation within the Elections section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Gv.
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