Successful Research on Research event organised by the SNSF

© iStock/Olivier Le Moal

On 28 and 29 November, the SNSF hosted the third edition of its Research on Research event at the Kursaal in Bern. The event featured numerous presentations and was well attended.

Over the two days in November, more than one hundred participants engaged in enriching discussions on various aspects of research on research. The attendees included national and international experts in the field, researchers, stakeholders from the education, research and innovation (ERI) sector, and representatives from various higher education institutions. This diverse mix of participants was a great asset to the event and contributed significantly to its success.

Wide diversity of topics

The two-day event highlighted the diversity of the topics, data and potential applications of research on research projects. Discussions included peer review procedures and their impact on the diversity and relevance of funded research. Participants also discussed the possibilities for detecting errors in scientific publications, the reproducibility and quality of research and the role of research on research in initiatives such as CoARA.

The SNSF considers itself a learning organisation and prioritises the evidence-informed development of its funding and evaluation processes. At the event, the SNSF presented its Career Tracker Cohorts (CTC) study, which collects data on researchers’ career paths, providing important insights about Switzerland’s research landscape. The presentation also highlighted the usability of the data: The data from the CTC study is freely accessible and available for everyone to view and use.

Networking is crucial

In addition to showing current research in the field and discussing potential future developments, the event also aimed to facilitate networking. Researchers identified synergies, exchanged ideas and engaged in meaningful dialogue. This aspect – as well as the event as a whole – was highly appreciated by the participants.

The event highlighted the growing prevalence of research on research activities across various disciplines. The Research on Research Institute (RoRI), in which the SNSF is involved, is committed to advancing these efforts. To enhance the quality and impact of research, greater emphasis must be placed on fostering collaboration and expanding networks.