Toolkit for Aligning Incentives 2.0

Abstract

Colleges and universities largely exist to advance knowledge for the public good through research, teaching, and public service. Yet, for far too long academic incentive systems have been misaligned with the foundational values upon which universities were founded. Rather than reward work based on the substance of their work, researchers are often rewarded based on superficial “metrics” that promote quantity over quality and under-value research that addresses critical societal problems. Our motivation for creating this toolkit stems from the recognition that correcting this misalignment is necessary for promoting research integrity, restoring trust in science (and higher education), and building a more just society. This is a living document that we plan on updating and improving periodically, much like improving our assessment practices requires continual effort to improve. With that in mind, please treat as you would any draft document.