About the kick-off:
A shift in research evaluation culture could bring significant and much-needed benefits to postdoctoral researchers and the academic system as a whole. Traditional metrics measures, such as publication count, journal impact factors, and citation numbers, continue to dominate how researchers are assessed, despite growing recognition that these measures do not fully capture the quality and the integrity of research. Moreover, different typologies of research outcomes are starting to be recognised. In this talk, Daniel will explore how this cultural shift is especially critical for postdocs, who often occupy vulnerable positions in the academic hierarchy. Unlike tenured or more senior researchers, postdocs work on short-term contracts with limited job security and are at a career stage where future possibilities are highly influenced by formal evaluation practice, most often based on publication records. Daniel will discuss how this creates a strong incentive to prioritise quantity and perceived prestige over research quality or long-term impact. Additionally, he will address the tension between research success and career success, which not only places a psychological and professional burden on early-career researchers but also threatens the integrity and sustainability of the academic system itself. The struggle of postdocs is further amplified by the need to produce science and secure funding to successfully navigate academia.
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