Yes We Should: Research Assessment in the Humanities

Abstract

In this contribution I argue that the Humanities, just like any other maturefield of knowledge, should have or develop a system by which its research can beassessed. In a world that increasingly asks for justification of public funds, wherepublic money becomes scarcer, so that less amounts have to be distributed amongmoreplayers,whereresearchfundsarebeingconcentratedanddistributedonahighlycompetitive basis, we as humanists cannot shy away from research assessment withtheargumentthat‘wearedifferentfromtherest’orthat‘wedon’tneedit’.Ofcoursethe humanities are a distinct member of the body of academic knowledge, but thatholds true for every discipline. If we agree that for instance that bibliometry doesnot suit most players in our field, the question becomes: what will suit us better?Case-studies? This contribution also contains a warning: let us stop arguing aboutthe language issue. English is the modern Latin of academia and its use enables us tocommunicate with one another, wherever we are or who we are. Without providingdefinite solutions, my argument isthat we, humanists, should take the steering wheelourselves in developing adequate forms of research assessment. If we leave it toothers, the humanities will look like arms attached to a foot.