Non-expert panels

Replacing or supplementing existing panels with non-researchers, to evaluate aspects of the proposal (or the object of the evaluation) that are not directly research related.
Level 0
Aim: Inclusivity
Aim: Value process
Aim: Collaboration
Aim: Alternative questions
Target: Academic institution
Target: Funder
Target: Research group
Target: Individual scholar
CoARA Commitment 1
CoARA Commitment 6
Contributor

Experiments in Assessment WG

Publication date

April 9, 2026

Updated

April 20, 2026

WarningObjectives and potential outcome

Research domains

Context and considerations

This could be focused on aspects such as economic potential, leadership and management competences, usibility of outputs, or other elements that are valued in the assessment. Connected ideas of Community impact assessment or Research users impacted as evaluators can be ways of undertaking this, but this idea can expand beyond direct users and impacted communities to address different aspects of the proposal and application material.

Challenges and mitigations

Evaluating success

Relevant resources and literature

Templates from funders and institutions

Case examples and literature

Several funders include members of the public in their review panels. See this example from Health Research Board Ireland which explains what it entails to be public participants to the review panel.

Other resources

Case Studies or Implementation Examples