Researcher evaluation ‘driving up productivity in Italy’

Fears that researchers might change subjects to enhance careers are not substantiated by major study

Italy’s introduction of evaluation exercises that determine career progression has reshaped how academic researchers work but not necessarily what they choose to investigate, according to a huge assessment of the assessments.

The ASN evaluations were introduced into the Italian academic sector in 2012. Researchers must meet certain standards to be promoted to associate or full professor.