A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal

Recognition in numbers: can authorship norms in large research teams help reform research assessment practices?




AuthorsCorreia, Ricardo A.

PublisherSpringer Nature

Publication year2026

Journal: Theory and Society

Article number1

Volume55

Issue1

ISSN0304-2421

eISSN1573-7853

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1007/s11186-025-09679-3

Publication's open availability at the time of reportingOpen Access

Publication channel's open availability Partially Open Access publication channel

Web address https://doi.org/10.1007/s11186-025-09679-3

Self-archived copy’s web addresshttps://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/508989260

Self-archived copy's licenceCC BY

Self-archived copy's versionPublisher`s PDF


Abstract

Large-scale scientific collaborations have become a defining feature of contemporary research. While these consortia enable ambitious, interdisciplinary projects, they also challenge traditional norms of authorship and researcher assessment. This perspective explores the evolving role of authorship in collaborative science and its potential to disrupt the dominance of quantitative research metrics in academic evaluations. Specifically, I discuss the advantages and challenges in using quantitative metrics for research assessments and argue that authorship practices in large research teams can both reduce the clarity and utility of traditional metrics and open new avenues for recognizing diverse and currently underappreciated research contributions. I also propose that reforming authorship norms in research collaborations, for example through clear contribution statements, expanded recognition of research outputs, and transparent attribution, can act as a catalyst for broader systemic change in research assessments. Promoting transparent and fair research authorship practices through norm shifts in large research consortia could help rebalance current evaluation systems, fostering more ethical, equitable, and context-sensitive approaches to recognizing academic labour.


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Funding information in the publication
Open Access funding provided by University of Turku (including Turku University Central Hospital). I acknowledge personal funding from the Academy of Finland (grant agreement #348352) and the KONE Foundation (grant agreement #202101976).


Last updated on 12/02/2026 11:00:15 AM