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Making the cut: How panel reviewers use evaluation devices to select applications at the European Research Council

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  • Lucas Brunet
  • Ruth Müller

Abstract

The European Research Council (ERC) receives many high-quality applications, but funds only a few. We analyze how members of ERC review panels assess applications in the first, highly competitive step of evaluations for ERC Starting and Consolidator Grants. Drawing on interviews with ERC panel members in different fields, we show that they adopt a set of evaluation devices that offer pragmatic and standardized ways of evaluating in a time-constrained and highly competitive setting. Through the use of evaluation devices, panel reviewers enact and generate a distinct reviewing expertise that encompasses subject-specific knowledge and knowledge about how to accomplish evaluation within a situated setting. We find that ERC panel reviewers employ four evaluation devices during the first step of ERC reviews: first, reviewers base judgments on applicants’ prior achievements (delegation devices); second, they adjust their evaluations of individual applications to the quality of a given set of applications (calibration devices); third, they combine multiple elements to assess the feasibility of proposals (articulation devices); and finally, they consider the impact of the proposed research on science and society (contribution devices). We show that the current use of these devices generates what we have termed evaluative pragmatism: a mode of reviewing that is shaped by and accommodated to the need to review many high-quality proposals in a short time period with possibly limited expert knowledge. In conclusion, we discuss how the prevalence of evaluative pragmatism in the first step of ERC panel reviews shapes candidate selection, particularly regarding human and epistemic diversity in European research.

Suggested Citation

  • Lucas Brunet & Ruth Müller, 2022. "Making the cut: How panel reviewers use evaluation devices to select applications at the European Research Council," Research Evaluation, Oxford University Press, vol. 31(4), pages 486-497.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:rseval:v:31:y:2022:i:4:p:486-497.
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Pleun van Arensbergen & Inge van der Weijden & Peter van den Besselaar, 2014. "Different views on scholarly talent: What are the talents we are looking for in science?," Research Evaluation, Oxford University Press, vol. 23(4), pages 273-284.
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    4. Ruth Müller & Sarah de Rijcke, 2017. "Exploring the epistemic impacts of academic performance indicators in the life sciences," Research Evaluation, Oxford University Press, vol. 26(3), pages 157-168.
    5. Terttu Luukkonen, 2014. "The European Research Council and the European research funding landscape," Science and Public Policy, Oxford University Press, vol. 41(1), pages 29-43.
    6. Ruth Müller & Sarah de Rijcke, 2017. "Thinking with Indicators. Exploring the Epistemic Impacts of Academic Performance Indicators in the Life Sciences," Research Evaluation, Oxford University Press, vol. 26(4), pages 361-361.
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