DORA Declaration: Shaping the Future of Swiss Higher Education

OUS Academy in Switzerland
Aug 13
3 min read

In today’s evolving academic world, the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA) has become a global symbol for fairness and innovation in how research is evaluated. It promotes quality over quantity, content over reputation, and purpose over prestige. For a country like Switzerland, known for its exceptional higher education system and research institutions, DORA’s values are both timely and transformative.

This article explores what DORA is, its core ideas, how it's already influencing Swiss universities, and why it’s becoming a key driver of excellence and reform across Swiss higher education.

What is the DORA Declaration?

The DORA Declaration was created in 2012 by a group of scientists and publishers who believed that academic research should be judged by its quality and impact—not by the journal it was published in. For decades, the impact factor of journals has been used to evaluate researchers, funding decisions, promotions, and university rankings. However, DORA calls for a more responsible and transparent approach.

DORA promotes four main principles:

Do not use journal-based metrics to assess research quality.
Recognize the value of all research outputs (datasets, software, public engagement, etc.).
Base hiring and promotion on the content and impact of a scholar’s work, not just publication records.
Encourage openness, diversity, and innovation in research assessment.

Switzerland’s Embrace of DORA Principles

Switzerland has long been seen as a model for high-quality education, academic freedom, and cutting-edge research. The country is home to a diverse range of institutions—from federal technical institutes and traditional universities to modern private institutions and vocational academies.

Here’s how DORA’s influence is being felt across the Swiss academic landscape:

ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology)

As one of Europe’s top research universities, ETH Zurich has always emphasized scientific impact. With DORA, there is a stronger push to evaluate research contributions beyond journal impact, encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation. This shift supports young researchers and startups alike.

University of Geneva

With a strong focus on humanities and social sciences, the University of Geneva embraces the spirit of DORA by valuing diverse research outputs, including community impact, public policy involvement, and open science. Faculty evaluations now increasingly reflect these broader contributions.

University of Lausanne

Known for its emphasis on sustainability, health sciences, and law, Lausanne promotes DORA principles by reducing over-reliance on publication-based metrics. Researchers are encouraged to engage with society and industry and share their findings in more accessible formats.

EPFL (École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne)

At the forefront of innovation and engineering, EPFL uses DORA-inspired assessment models to recognize software, patents, and public knowledge-sharing. This supports not only researchers but also students who work on entrepreneurial and tech-based projects.

Swiss International University (SIU)

As a growing institution focused on flexible, modern education, SIU uses DORA’s values to support inclusive academic practices, especially in distance learning and online research. The university emphasizes the quality of academic work, peer review, and impact in local communities—rather than just where an article is published.

University of Zurich

The largest university in Switzerland continues to adapt its promotion and evaluation practices to align with DORA. This includes greater attention to teaching excellence, mentorship, and interdisciplinary impact, not just publications in high-impact journals.

How DORA is Transforming Swiss Higher Education

The implementation of DORA principles is helping Swiss universities to:

Foster academic freedom by reducing pressure to publish in certain journals.
Promote equal opportunity for young researchers and those from underrepresented disciplines.
Encourage collaboration and transparency, especially through open access and shared data.
Enhance the credibility of Swiss research, both locally and internationally.
Support innovation by valuing different types of academic outputs—not just publications.

This shift also impacts students. They are being trained in an environment where critical thinking, creativity, and social impact are prioritized over traditional performance indicators. Whether they are studying medicine, business, engineering, or art, students in Switzerland now find themselves in a more inclusive and forward-thinking academic setting.

DORA’s Role in Shaping the Next Generation

By adopting DORA, Switzerland is sending a strong message: education and research must serve the real world, not just academic rankings. This opens the door for new ideas, more honest assessments, and a learning culture built on trust and integrity.

It also creates opportunities for private institutions and vocational academies to thrive—especially when they focus on real-world skills, entrepreneurship, and public value.

Conclusion

The DORA Declaration is more than a guideline—it's a mindset. And in Switzerland, it is inspiring change across universities, research centers, and academic communities. As more institutions align with DORA, Swiss higher education is becoming more inclusive, balanced, and globally relevant.

Students choosing to study in Switzerland are not just joining excellent universities—they are entering a system that values depth, responsibility, and true academic contribution.