The community of researchers and “academic performance” evaluation

Abstract

An evaluation of “academic performance” is considered in the context of performance management in the sphere of science. An emphasis is made on the dependence of the evaluation on interests and, accordingly, on an inherently unrealistic development of an “objectively correct” evaluation which would be unanimously approved by those whose interests are not identical. A variety of researchers’ interest is stated together with a lack of institutionalized norms for working out a consolidated position. At the same time, the paper points out the deep-rooted nonidentical nature of the interests of scientists and those who design and implement the policy in the sphere of science. The demand of policy subjects for the formalization of evaluations, even at the cost of roughening the realities is also underscorred. Considering these realities, the conclusion is made about the hopelessness of the search for ideal solutions. At the same time, another conclusion is made that “academic performance” evaluation implemented in the sphere of science management could gradually become more acceptable for researchers. However, it depends not so much on the study and discussions of various evaluation systems as on the development of the research community and the formation of conditions for an effective dialogue between the latter and the subjects of the science policy.