Performance Measures and the Academic Profession (en Inglés) - Corinna Geppert

This book provides a comprehensive and critical examination of how performance is defined, measured, and experienced within the academic profession across diverse higher education systems. It addresses the growing reliance on performance metrics—such as publication counts, citation indices, teaching evaluations, and international rankings—and explores their implications for academic work, institutional governance, and broader societal engagement. Drawing on empirical data from the international APIKS (Academic Profession in the Knowledge-Based Society) study as well as other data sources, the volume offers comparative insights into how performance expectations shape academic careers, influence research and teaching priorities, and affect institutional strategies in different national and cultural contexts.

The work addresses a range of themes, including the tension between research and teaching, the impact of internationalization on research productivity, the role of governance and managerial practices, and the evolving significance of knowledge and technology transfer. By foregrounding the academic profession rather than institutional outputs, the book discusses the pressures and contradictions faced by academics navigating performance-based systems. It also engages with reform initiatives such as CoARA and DORA, which advocate for more holistic and responsible approaches to research assessment. Through its interdisciplinary and comparative lens, this volume contributes to a nuanced understanding of academic performance and offers valuable perspectives for scholars, policymakers, and higher education leaders seeking to balance accountability with academic autonomy and mission-driven work.