On the evaluation of university lecturers (with special reference to Economics and Law)

The evaluation of university teaching staff has advanced notably since the approval and development of the LOU (Law of Universities). In this paper we present a critical panorama of the complex system of evaluation, with special attention to research and to the academic fields of Economics and Law. Furthermore, improvements are suggested for increasing the efficiency and transparency of the system. The evaluation of faculty members is fundamental for improving the quality of the Spanish University System. It is also pertinent for making distinctions among members of the community, in an approach towards horizontal promotion through productivity measurements. While this is a polemic topic in the public sector, it is not insurmountable. Data reveal that after the evaluations of the initial years, a serious reflection has begun for improving the system. Specifically, there are suggestions for reducing 'red tape' and increasing the transparency and neutrality of the system.