Brandon University is proud to announce its formal adoption of the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), reinforcing its commitment to fair, transparent, and inclusive approaches to evaluating scholarly work.
By endorsing DORA, Brandon University pledges to move beyond narrow metrics such as journal impact factors when assessing the quality and impact of scholarly work. This shift supports more inclusive, transparent, and meaningful approaches to evaluating research contributions.
“Signing DORA is a strong signal that Brandon University values diverse forms of research excellence,” said Dr. Bernadette Ardelli, Vice-President (Research & Graduate Studies). “Whether it’s through traditional publications, community engagement, creative scholarship, or Indigenous research methodologies, our evaluation practices must reflect the breadth and depth of contributions our researchers make to knowledge and to society.”
Dr. Christine Bovis-Cnossen, President and Vice-Chancellor, added that DORA supports the university’s commitment to holistic, equitable approaches to teaching and research.
“Our faculty are scholars, educators, and community builders,” Dr. Bovis-Cnossen said. “Recognizing the full range of their achievements ensures that we uphold values of fairness, integrity, and inclusivity in how we define academic excellence.”
Brandon University is now among a small but growing number of Canadian institutions to sign DORA. As of 2025, fewer than ten universities in Canada have endorsed the declaration, although national funders including SSHRC, NSERC, CIHR, and the Canada Foundation for Innovation are all signatories.
“Signing DORA is a strong signal that Brandon University values diverse forms of research excellence,”
Dr. Bernadette Ardelli, Vice-President (Research & Graduate Studies)
As a DORA signatory, Brandon University will:
• Revise internal research assessment policies to emphasize quality and impact over quantity or journal prestige;
• Support researchers in documenting a wide variety of outputs and contributions, including public engagement, datasets, creative works, and non-traditional scholarship;
• Limit the use of metrics like journal impact factors and h-indices in hiring, tenure, promotion, and funding decisions;
• Align with national and international trends in open science, equity, and responsible research evaluation.
This step aligns with Brandon University’s ongoing commitments to equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility (EDIA), to reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples, and to open and collaborative research practices.
About DORA
Launched in 2012, the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment is an international initiative that aims to improve how research output is evaluated by funders, institutions, publishers, and researchers. It calls for recognition of the full range of research outputs and contributions, and a reduction in overreliance on journal-based metrics.
About Brandon University
Located in southwestern Manitoba, Brandon University is a student-focused institution known for personalized learning, strong community connections, and impactful research. The university is home to research centres such as the Centre for Critical Studies of Rural Mental Health, the Rural Development Institute, and The Centre for Applied Research and Education in Indigenous, Rural, and Remote Settings.
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- communications@brandonu.ca
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About BU
Success is built at Brandon University. Our growing, progressive campus welcomes a diverse and inclusive community that combines proud tradition with shared ambition. Through our excellence in teaching, research, and scholarship, we educate students to make a meaningful difference as engaged citizens and leaders. Join us at BrandonU.ca.