What does it really take to become a Professor?
- Prof. Pradeep Kumar Et al.
A global study of 532 promotion policies from 121 countries explored what really matters when universities decide who should become a full professor.
Becoming a professor is not the same everywhere. In fact, how you are assessed can vary a lot depending on the country or institution you are in. A recent study reveals that in many parts of the world, particularly in the Global South, promotion to full professorship is often based on the number of research papers published. However, other important factors, such as the real-world impact of research or ethical practices, are often not considered.
What really matters?
A global study of 532 promotion policies from 121 countries explored what really matters when universities and institutions decide who should become a full professor. While publications and citation metrics are widely used, the study found that policies covering about 70% of researchers worldwide surprisingly make no explicit reference to citations.
This first-of-its-kind analysis looked at four key areas commonly considered in promotions: output metrics (such as publications), visibility and engagement, career development, and outcomes and impact.
“It’s important to engage in every aspect of academic research and outputs including contribution to the community, publish papers, be publicly visible, focus on research impact and societal impact, maintain quality and research excellence,” explains Professor Pradeep Kumar, Personal Professor at the Wits Advanced Drug Delivery Platform. He adds that academics should also “enrich your professional experience, value collaborations, foster equity, inclusivity and research integrity, practice transparency, and remain relevant, among others.” And since “bibliometric assessments are here to stay for a while,” Kumar advises maintaining a “healthy” research profile.
Key Findings
There is no global standard for how academics are evaluated for promotion to full professor. Criteria vary widely, with middle-income countries placing more emphasis on the number, rather than the impact of publications.
This research appears in the journal Nature and was republished in the July edition of the Wits Health Sciences’ Review.