ABOUT THIS TRAINING SCHOOL

This training school enables participants to understand the relation between research quality, research evaluation and career. It focuses on the particular challenges linked to evaluation and career in the social sciences and humanities. In theoretical and hands-on sessions on such topics as evaluation systems, quality criteria, metrics and peer review, the participants will interact with and learn from specialists in these felds and develop their own understanding of the complex relationships between evaluation and career in the social sciences and humanities.

The training school is organised within the framework of the COST Action “European Network for Research Evaluation of the Social Sciences and Humanities” (ENRESSH) by Working Group 1 (Conceptual frameworks for SSH research evaluation) and Special Interest Group for Early Career Investigators.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

1. Understand diferences and similarities as well as the complexities of national evaluation systems.
2. Develop competencies in using quality criteria for improving own research and evaluate research of others (literature, peer review).
3. Become “metric-wise”: know what for metrics can and cannot be used, learn to apply bibliometrics in simple situations
4. Understand peer review: be able to write a good review, be able to respond to a review.
5. Develop skills to critically reflect on evaluation procedures, to interact with evaluators, to suggest improvements and to use them for career development.

PRACTICAL DETAILS

The training school will last 4 full days starting with an introductory get together on Monday afternoon, and will finish on Friday at noon. A grant of up to 700 EUR (up to 350 EUR for the residents of Lithuania excluding residents of Vilnius) will be provided for accepted participants as a contribution to the travelling costs, accommodation and subsistence during the Training School.

For grant related queries please contact Marek Holowiecki at marek.holowiecki@amu.edu.pl

For other queries please contact Jolanta Šinkūnienė at jolanta.sinkuniene@flf.vu.lt

APPLICATION PROCESS

Researchers at diferent ranks are eligible to apply for the training school, including graduate and PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, research managers and administrators, etc. However, priority will be given to early career investigators (PhD + 8), as well as to trainees from inclusiveness target countries (see COST ITC). Researchers from any branch of humanities and social sciences are welcome to apply, provided that they have an interest in SSH research evaluation and can participate actively during the whole training school.

APPLICANTS TO THE TRAINING SCHOOL ASKING FOR FUNDING SHOULD SUBMIT:

1. A motivation letter, not exceeding one page that provides a clear indication of experience relevant to the topic of the training school; provide a rationale of why you are interested in the training school and how you envisage the training school to contribute to your learning, career and research objectives.
2. A short reflection on research evaluation procedures’. impact on your career decisions (1 page).
3. A short CV (2 pages max)

Please submit the applications to:
Michael Ochsner, and Jolanta Šinkūnienė,

Closing date for applications: 25 October 2018

The applicant will be informed about acceptance for a grant via email.

This Training school is supported by COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology).

ABOUT THE HOSTS

The training school will be hosted by Vilnius University, Faculty of Philology (Vilnius, Lithuania). Founded in 1579, Vilnius University is one of the oldest and most famous higher education institutions in Eastern and Central Europe. During its history of more than 400 years, Vilnius University has played a major role in the cultural and scientifc development of Lithuania.

The old historical campus of the university, where the Training School will be held, is home to the faculties of social sciences and humanities and is considered to be one of the fnest architectural examples of Vilnius old town combining elements of Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Classicism.

For the location of the Faculty of Philology follow this link.

PRELIMINARY PROGRAMME

MONDAY (JANUARY 07): INTRODUCTION TO THE TRAININGSCHOOL

16:30-18:00 Registration and introduction to the training school 18:00-20:00 Dinner and informal networking

TUESDAY (JANUARY 8): EVALUATION

9:30-11:00 Introduction to research evaluation

11:30-13:00 Research Evaluation Systems: Lecture and hands-on session

14:00-15:30 Lecture on quality criteria for SSH research and measurement

16:00-18:00 Hands-on session on using quality criteria in the research process

WEDNESDAY (JANUARY 9): METRICS

9:30-11:00 Introduction to bibliometrics and specifcities of bibliometrics for the SSH

11:30-13:00 Hands-on bibliometrics (calculation of citation scores etc.)

14:00-15:30 Altmetrics for the SSH

16:00-18:00 Hands-on session on metrics in SSH (group work)

THURSDAY (JANUARY 10): PEER REVIEW

9:30-11:00 Introduction to peer review in the SSH

11:30-13:00 Bias and predictive validity in peer review processes

14:00-15:30 Lecture and exercises: Writing and receiving/interpreting reviews

16:00-18:00 Hands-on session: Writing and receiving reviews (group work)

FRIDAY (JANUARY 11): REFLECTION, EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES,CLOSING

10:00-11:00 Group work: Reflecting on what was learned and how it can be used for career planning

11:30-13:00 Group work: Discussion on how things could be improved.

All presentations are available for download here.