A 2025 study in the journal Nature looked at promotion criteria for academic researchers in 190 academic institutions and 58 government agencies worldwide and uncovered that these criteria generally bring about normative career progression instead of one that embraces diversity.
The study, entitled 鈥淩egional and institutional trends in assessment for academic promotion,鈥� was co-authored by Prof. Thomas Edison E. dela Cruz, Dr. rer. nat., a full professor of the Department of Biological Sciences and Member of the country鈥檚 Teacher Education Council.
Surveying a total of 314 policies pertaining to full professorship, the study acknowledged the 鈥渁ssessment as research performance [as a] vital tool in upholding the highest standards of quality, with selection and competition believed to drive progress.鈥� The study covered a total of 121 countries, with 32 from the Global North and 89 from the Global South. While there were marked differences between Global North and Global South, as well institutional and national policies, the study found that this diversity was less present across disciplines鈥攄espite the inherent uniqueness of each.
The provided strategic implications for researchers, research managers, and national governments.
