Credit, recognition, and reward for non-traditional research artefacts in the Life Sciences

Publication metrics remain the primary academic performance assessment in modern academia. This focus has fostered the publish or perish culture, negatively impacting research output quantity and quality. Consequently, a gap exists in the recognition and reward of impactful non-traditional research artefacts, such as curated datasets, research software, and training materials. To address this, we share perspectives to expand the assessment consideration for researchers producing these outputs. We also highlight the dedicated roles and need for wider consideration of career paths of digital research technical professionals, including academic data curators, research software engineers and domain expert trainers. Through a mapping of valuable non-traditional artefacts illustrated by Life Science examples of ELIXIR Europe, we aim to foster a productive and sustainable Open Science ecosystem where these outputs are made visible and considered. We examine the technical solutions for credit and sociological barriers to recognition and reward, while also considering the impacts of generative AI. Furthermore, we discuss policy and funder mandate reforms to ensure those responsible for non-traditional research artefacts are properly recognised and rewarded, to accelerate global scientific discovery.