China reforms research review to boost young university staff

China has introduced a new guideline to enhance the evaluation of scientific research by young university faculty, as part of a broader effort to strengthen the development of young teaching staff.

The document, issued by the Ministry of Education and five other government bodies on Wednesday, aims to comprehensively boost young teachers' ideological and political caliber, teaching quality, scientific research and innovation capability and international perspective.

The guideline calls for a reformed approach to assessing young academics. Evaluation criteria should be scientifically determined, considering individual career aspirations, disciplines and roles.

Greater emphasis will be placed on innovation capability and quality, practical results, and contribution, moving away from an over-reliance on simple quantitative metrics for judging research performance.

Mechanisms for peer review will be refined, and a system for evaluating representative research outputs will be promoted. Furthermore, there is a clear push for academic self-reliance, with encouragement for young teachers to publish their work in domestic academic journals.

The document also outlines measures to ensure stable, long-term support for young faculty engaged in original and breakthrough technological innovation. It promotes organized research and supports interdisciplinary and cross-field studies, aiding the construction of China's independent knowledge system and the dissemination of its discourse internationally.

Beyond research evaluation, the guideline calls for improving ethical conduct mechanisms, which stresses strictly dealing with any violations of laws and regulations and weeding out the "bad apples" in the teaching profession. Meanwhile, any untrue rumors targeting teachers will also be dealt with and cleared quickly.

The guideline also encourages partnerships between universities and large enterprises for training. Enhanced support for career development, including mentorship and opportunities in project applications and academic roles, is also emphasized.

To improve overall job satisfaction, the guideline advocates for reforms in the salary system, exploring annual salary and project-based pay structures to raise income levels. Efforts will be made to reduce non-academic burdens on young teachers and to assist with housing, health, and well-being.