KU Leuven to battle pressure to publish with biographical profiles

The University of Leuven (KU Leuven) is taking measures to battle the publication pressure that threatens to devalue quality of research, rector Rik Torfs told De Morgen. Rather than placing emphasis on how many articles have been published, the university is introducing a system of profiles in which academics will illustrate the importance of their work when applying for a job or promotion.

A considerable part of financial support for researchers and universities depends on the number of articles published in academic journals. As a result, researchers are under a great deal of pressure to publish as much as possible, which affects the quality of their work, said Torfs (pictured).

This system has received much criticism in the last few years, including from Torfs, who said that, starting in the next academic year, KU Leuven will introduce a system of biographical profiles. Such an essay is used, he said, “at Harvard Business School to allow applicants talk about themselves and their impact on their research field. It offers a good idea of the person’s qualities”.

Candidates will have to be able to explain how their field of research has evolved and their role in that evolution. “The profile makes it more clear who has had an impact on the field and who has simply published a lot,” said vice-rector Georges Gielen. “Those who’ve made no impact don’t offer evidence of a larger vision.”

Photo: Rob Stevens/KU Leuven