Yes We Should: Research Assessment in the Humanities

Abstract

In this contribution I argue that the humanities, just like any other mature field of knowledge, should have or develop a system by which its research can be assessed. In a world that increasingly asks for the justification of public spending, where less and less public money must be distributed among more and more social players, where research funds are being concentrated and distributed on a highly competitive basis, we as humanists cannot shy away from research assessment with the argument that “we are different from the rest” or that “we don’t need it”. Of course the humanities are a distinct member of the body of academic knowledge, but that holds true for every discipline. If we agree that, for instance that bibliometrics does not suit most players in our field, the question becomes: what would better suit us? Case-studies? This contribution also contains a warning: let us stop arguing about the language issue. English is the modern Latin of academia and its use enables us to communicate with one another, wherever we are or whomever we are. Without providing definite solutions, my argument is that we humanists should take the steering wheel ourselves in developing adequate forms of research assessment. If we leave it to others, the humanities will end up looking like arms attached to a foot.