Publishing research, what interests researchers in architecture and what they should do

The paper proposes some reflections on the role of publications to communicate the results of research and to define and to evolve the quality of the research concept. This reflection derives from author’s experience in assessing scientific publications in the field of architecture, carried out for ANVUR (National Assessment Agency for the University and Research Systems), on university competitions and research funding. The most important issues to be addressed in research assessment in architecture arise from the centrality of the project, planning and design, in practice and research. Architecture is a field which relates to various scientific disciplines, that lies between hard sciences, humanities, social sciences, technology and art. Publishing research should serve to strengthen the scientific community, sharing epistemic reflections, knowledge and objectives, quality assessment criteria and scientific languages. But many questions arise for proper publishing. The places in which to publish must be chosen and assessed with an open attitude towards interdisciplinary and international debate. The same we can say for communication formats and tools. The role of scientific journals is important, but we must establish good procedures for the accreditation of scientific journals at international level. Briefly are described the procedures currently followed in Italy for VQR and for eligibility to ASN with reference specifically to the architecture.