The ENLIGHT “Research and Innovation agenda with and for Society” (RISE) project aims at establishing foundations and initiating implementation of a common research and innovation (R&I) agenda within the ENLIGHT European University Alliance. One of the aims of ENLIGHT RISE is to link up with the current debate on the reform of research assessment. The evaluation of research and researchers is the subject of an international debate, with the European Commission calling for a reform and several universities already changing their assessment practices and procedures. ENLIGHT RISE partners explore how the current debate impacts the evaluation systems of individual universities and what it might mean for the ENLIGHT European University. This background document is a starting point for all those involved in the assessment of research and researchers - policy makers, research support staff and researchers involved in the design and implementation of research(er) assessment systems – to plunge into the current debate and its implications.