Evaluation of Academic Science and Scientists: Perspectives from Latin America

Abstract

Over the last decade, the evaluation of academic science has been object of criticism. A series of manifestos have broadly circulated not only within academy but also in blogs and the daily press. The increasing preponderance of metrics over qualitative assessment approaches are at the center of the discussion. One of the topics highlighted in this debate is that universal criteria for science evaluation affect differently the diverse regions of the globe, where science infrastructures and development are quite uneven. Another point that affects the different geographies of science is language, particularly the link between English language and high impact journals. Yet another is the trend to homogenize science agendas, while local relevant issues are left out at both, competitive research grants and academic journals. In this panel, Latin American scholars and scholars researching on Latin America will address some of the main issues under debate, answering questions such as: What science assessment methodologies are the most commonly used in Latin America? What are the effects of science assessment on the content and relevance of the science produced in the region? What are the effects of academic evaluation on researchers’ decisions and practices? Have the mission of public universities and the nature of academic work changed as a result of an increased emphasis on metric-based evaluations? What kinds of discussions are underway in Latin American countries regarding academic science evaluation? What alternative ways can be proposed?

Individual Presentations

• Academic Evaluation Effects on Knowledge Production: Insights from Uruguayan Scientists - Mariela Bianco, Universidad de la Republica; Sofia Robaina, Universidad de la Republica; Maria Goñi, Universidad de la República; Camila Ceballos, Universidad de la Republica

• Impacts of the Policy Turn: Changes of Academic Evaluation in Ecuador - María Belén Albornoz, FLACSO Latin American Social Studies Faculty

• The Ontology of Evaluation of Academic Science: Challenges to Latin America - Marx Jose Gomez Liendo, Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas; Maria Victoria Canino, Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas

• Strategies of Researchers to Deal with Tensions between Academic Evaluation Processes and Research Practices - Constanza Beatriz Pérez-Martelo, Universidad Central, Colombia; Jorge Enrique Mejía-Quiroga, Universidad Central, Colombia; Yaddy Paola Niño Sandoval

• New and Old Critiques on the Evaluation of Academic Science: Implications in the Latin American Context - Noela Invernizzi, Universidade Federal do Parana; Amílcar Davyt, Universidad de la Republica

Session Organizers

• Noela Invernizzi, Universidade Federal do Parana

• Mariela Bianco, Universidad de la Republica