UP News - University of Potsdam

Media information 01-08-2026 / Nr. 002

Photo: Ernst Kaczynski

Prof. Oliver Günther, Ph.D., President of the University of Potsdam.

University of Potsdam President Oliver Günther has been elected to the Steering Board of the Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment (CoARA). He will serve on the governing body for the next two years, beginning January 1, 2026, and is currently the only German representative on the Board. CoARA is a global initiative committed to reforming the assessment of research in ways that are fair, transparent, and grounded in quality. The goal is to move evaluation practices beyond a narrow focus on quantitative indicators such as journal impact factors, the h-index, or levels of third-party funding. Instead, the coalition promotes approaches that recognize research quality, transparency, and societal relevance. The University of Potsdam joined CoARA in January 2024 and adopted its own institutional action plan in July 2025.

“For many years, I have advocated a modern, fair, and impact-oriented approach to research assessment,” said Günther. “Enabling researchers to reach their full potential and ensuring that the impact of their contributions is evaluated appropriately requires structural change that fosters excellence, openness, and diversity in research and teaching. Whether in the development of open science policies, recruitment practices, or the implementation of diversity criteria, our highly engaged academic and administrative community here at the University of Potsdam plays a key role in advancing these changes. As a member of the CoARA Steering Board, I look forward to helping move this agenda forward at other levels in the coming years.”

Founded in December 2022, CoARA seeks to advance a systemic shift in research assessment practices. Its Agreement on Reforming Research Assessment, first published in July 2022, has so far been signed by 923 institutions and organizations.

The University of Potsdam supports CoARA’s principles as part of its commitment to fostering a modern and responsible research culture. To support implementation, the university has established a university-wide interdisciplinary working group headed by Ralph Gräf, a professor in the Faculty of Science. The group is analyzing existing procedures and developing recommendations for forward-looking approaches to research evaluation.

Further information: https://www.uni-potsdam.de/en/coara/index

Photo: Prof. Dr. Oliver Günther, Ph.D., President of the University of Potsdam. Foto: Ernst Kaczynski

Contact
Dr. Silke Engel, Press Officer and Director of the University of Potsdam Press and Public Relations Department
Email: silke.engeluuni-potsdampde
Phone: +49 331 977-1496

Media information 01-08-2026 / Nr. 002