Scientists urge scrapping of SIR assessment, call it 'disenfranchisement'

Scientists across South Asia have launched a collective call to discontinue the Scientific Impact Rating (SIR) assessment framework, characterizing it as a mechanism that disenfranchises researchers and undermines inclusive scientific discourse.

The petition, signed by academics across multiple institutions, raises concerns about the methodology and impact of the assessment system. Signatories have stressed that their endorsement of the statement is made in individual capacities, with their views reflecting personal positions rather than official institutional stances.

The scientists argue that the current assessment framework fails to adequately represent the diverse spectrum of research contributions and may disadvantage scholars from underrepresented communities or those working in emerging fields. The petition reflects growing unease within the academic community regarding evaluation mechanisms that may not capture the full breadth of scientific merit.

The move is part of a broader regional conversation about how scientific contributions should be measured and valued. Researchers have called for a more transparent and equitable approach to scientific assessment that better reflects contemporary understanding of research impact and academic diversity.