Manifesto for socio-territorial metrics of Science, Technology and Innovation

From FOLEC-CLACSO, we recommend reading the «Manifesto for socio-territorial metrics of Science, Technology and Innovation", a crucial document prepared after the Latmétricas 2023 Congress at the University of La Frontera (Chile) and presented in July 2024 at the ESOCITE Congress in Campinas. This manifesto, promoted by an interdisciplinary group of researchers, addresses the There is an urgent need to reformulate how science is measured and evaluated in diverse contexts, emphasizing the territorial and social capacities of science, technology, and innovation..

The document was authored by a distinguished group of researchers from Latin America and Europe, including Ronald Cancino (University of La Frontera, Chile), Nadia Albis Salas (University of Talca, Chile), Jacqueline Villarroel Valenzuela (University of Talca, Chile), Eduardo Robles Belmont (National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico), Thaiane Oliveira (Universidade Federal Fluminense, Brazil), Ismael Ràfols (Leiden University, Netherlands), Guadalupe Palacios Núñez (Michoacan Institute of Educational Sciences, Mexico), Roelvis Ortiz Núñez (Pontifical Bolivarian University, Colombia), Xochitl Flores Vargas (National Pedagogical University, Mexico), María Camila Restrepo Fernández (University of Antioquia, Colombia), Luciano Guillermo Levin (National University of Río Negro and CONICET, Argentina), Fábio Mascarenhas e Silva (Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Brazil), Germana Barata (Unicamp, Brazil), Gabriel Vélez Cuartas (University of Antioquia, Colombia), Diana Lucio Arias (Pontifical Javeriana University, Colombia), Rogerio Mugnaini (Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil) and Alejandro Uribe Tirado (University of Antioquia, Colombia). The international collaboration reflects the diversity of perspectives and the conceptual richness discussed in the manifesto.

The manifesto focuses on the need to develop metrics that recognize the heterogeneity of scientific capabilitiesBeyond traditional impact measurements such as citations, it proposes an evaluation that considers the social, cultural and territorial contributions of scienceemphasizing the importance of To make visible and manage scientific capabilities in accordance with local demands and specificities.

Recommendations from the Manifesto:

1. The complexity of the relationships between science, technology, society, and territory: This principle highlights the importance of understanding the complex interactions between these elements in order to develop metrics that adequately reflect territorial reality.
2. Recognition of the heterogeneity of capacity development: It emphasizes the need to recognize the diverse scientific and technological capabilities in different territories, avoiding homogeneous approaches.
3. To transcend the notion of the impact of science, technology, and innovation: The proposal is to go beyond traditional impact metrics, such as citations, to include social and cultural contributions.
4. Identification, recognition and management of territorial agendas for science, technology and innovation: This principle suggests that metrics should be aligned with local STI agendas, adapting to the needs and priorities of each territory.
5. Collaboration and construction of participatory territorial networks for the design and analysis of metrics: It promotes the creation of participatory networks that involve local actors in the design and analysis of metrics.
6. Heterogeneous data, governance and transparency: It highlights the importance of using diverse data and ensuring transparency in the governance of metrics.
7. From data management for visualizing the territorial distribution of capabilities to indexing and understanding territorial capabilities: It emphasizes the need to manage data to better visualize and understand territorial capabilities.
8. Opening of methodologies, technologies and solutions: It advocates for openness in the methodologies and technologies used to develop and apply metrics, facilitating innovation and local adaptation.
9. Visibility and circulation of knowledge: It highlights the importance of ensuring that knowledge generated in different territories is visible and widely circulated.

We invite the academic and scientific community to read this manifesto, Available in three versions: Spanish, Portuguese, and EnglishIt offers valuable perspectives and proposals for the evolution of metrics in science and technology, adapted to the socio-territorial realities of Latin America and the Caribbean. Below, we share the Spanish version.