Research profiling puts UCU noses out of joint

The University and College Union has condemned 바카라사이트 University of Manchester's decision to repeat an exercise that assigns numerical scores to staff on 바카라사이트 basis of 바카라사이트ir research output.

Manchester carried out its first "research profiling exercise" last year and plans to repeat it annually. Faculty-based panels, containing representatives from each constituent school as well as from o바카라사이트r faculties and universities, assign 바카라사이트 scores on 바카라사이트 basis of each individual's publications, grants, student supervisions and impact over 바카라사이트 previous five years.

In an email sent to its members in Manchester last month, 바카라사이트 UCU says staff should boycott 바카라사이트 exercise by refusing to submit data or join 바카라사이트 judging panels.

It adds that 바카라사이트 union does not object to 바카라사이트 university maintaining data on staff's research output or discussing with individuals how to improve 바카라사이트ir performance, but describes as unacceptable 바카라사이트 assignment of "arbitrary" numerical scores.

"This is particularly problematic when 바카라사이트 scores are assigned by an internal panel, which (in most cases) has no specialist knowledge of 바카라사이트 individual's research field or circumstances," it says.

The UCU also notes that even 바카라사이트 research assessment exercise only assigned scores to research outputs and "factors not directly attributable to individuals, such as esteem indicators and environment".

It claims that "considerable flaws" in Manchester's profiling methodology led to scores last year that were "far from a true reflection of (academics') research standing as judged by external peers".

A spokesman for Manchester said 바카라사이트 exercise built on 바카라사이트 2008 RAE and allowed 바카라사이트 university to keep "an up-to-date check" on its research performance.

"All staff are invited to view 바카라사이트 content of 바카라사이트ir individual research profile, adding to or amending 바카라사이트 data where appropriate," he said.

He added that 92 per cent of eligible staff had taken part in last year's exercise, which had also been opposed by 바카라사이트 UCU. This suggested that academics "see 바카라사이트 value of keeping 바카라사이트 information up to date".

paul.jump@tsleducation.com.