VisConnect - AI-driven research assessment for a new era
We are excited to introduce VisConnect, a new service by Open Knowledge Maps that enables responsible, evidence-based research assessment. VisConnect supports institutions to move beyond traditional metrics by offering rich, visual profiles of researchers. Powered by AI and built as open-source infrastructure, VisConnect helps evaluate scholarly contributions holistically, yet efficiently.
Designed for decision-makers and researchers alike
VisConnect offers comprehensive insights into a researcher’s work across research, teaching, and open science. Developed in collaboration with IT:U - Interdisciplinary Transformation University Austria, VisConnect serves a wide range of institutional needs. It is particularly well-suited for:
- Assessment committees, to inform hiring and promotion
- Institutional leadership and support staff, to showcase researcher profiles
- Researchers and faculty, to identify outstanding peers across disciplines
Comprehensive overview at a glance
VisConnect integrates data from trusted sources such as ORCID, Crossref, Altmetric, and BASE to provide a detailed, multidimensional view of a researcher’s work. At its core is a topical knowledge map that organises outputs by theme, allowing users to quickly identify focus areas and interdisciplinary links.
These maps can be scaled by various metrics - such as citations, social media attention, and references in policy or news - shedding light on how work is received inside and outside academia.
Going beyond publications
In addition to the topical overview, VisConnect provides:
- Structured biographies with information on education, employment, teaching, funding, and awards
- A configurable metrics dashboard that reflects both traditional and alternative metrics
- Support for non-traditional outputs, including datasets, software, and policy papers
A shift towards responsible evaluation
Traditional metrics like the impact factor are increasingly seen as inadequate for capturing the full range of academic contributions. VisConnect was developed in alignment with initiatives like DORA and CoARA to recognise diverse contributions and support responsible evaluation practices. Designed with transparency and fairness in mind, it avoids opaque scoring models and promotes equitable assessment.
Discover a smarter way to evaluate research
VisConnect is part of a growing suite of organisational services offered by Open Knowledge Maps. These Custom Services can be tailored to institutional needs and are designed for easy integration in institutional workflows as well as user-facing services. The link below includes a live example map, so you can see VisConnect in action and explore how it can support your research assessment processes.
Explore VisConnect
