Javier Mula-Falcón

La transformación de la educación superior tiene entre sus propósitos la mejora de la calidad y, para ello, se han incorporado procesos de evaluación y acreditación que, hoy por hoy, siguen buscando afianzarse. El objetivo de este trabajo es validar el cuestionario “Percepciones y satisfacción del profesorado universitario sobre el desarrollo y evaluación de su actividad profesional” (PSPU). Para ello, se realizó una búsqueda y revisión de instrumentos que permitió iniciar el diseño de un cuestionario que midiese las percepciones y el nivel de satisfacción que tiene el profesorado sobre los sistemas de evaluación. Seguidamente, se llevó a cabo la validación del contenido del cuestionario, mediante el juicio de diez expertos. El cuestionario se administró a la población, compuesta por profesorado funcionario y contratado de las universidades públicas andaluzas, obteniéndose una muestra de 2183 sujetos (12.4%). El estudio de la validez de constructo mediante un análisis factorial confirmatorio multigrupo permitió identificar tres factores y el estudio de la fiabilidad nos llevó a crear un modelo teórico configurado por tres dimensiones, para las que se obtuvo un Alpha de Cronbach superior a 0.80. Los resultados confirman la validez y fiabilidad del cuestionario, que mide tanto la satisfacción como las percepciones del profesorado universitario sobre los sistemas de evaluación de su desempeño profesional. Se concluye que su aplicación permitirá generar información clave para diseñar políticas universitarias y prácticas de evaluación más justas y efectivas, mejorando el bienestar académico y la calidad de sus funciones, en beneficio del sistema de Educación Superior.

Purpose: This article focuses on understanding the evolution of the academic identity of a university academic within the contemporary university context, highlighting the significant influence of professional performance evaluations. Design/methodology/approach: In order to achieve the objectives, a narrative-biographical approach was used, through an in-depth analysis of the life and professional career of a Spanish academic. Findings: The results reveal a progression in identity from a state of naivety to that of a survivor, characterized by a strong adherence to the demands of scientific production, with research assuming a central role. This shift is motivated by an enduring pursuit of stable employment conducive to full professional and personal development. Several factors influence this change, including the context of evaluation, lack of funding, relationship with the thesis supervisor, and job instability, among others. The article concludes by outlining policy implications aimed at enhancing the work and professional standards of university faculty. These recommendations include awareness-raising initiatives, re-evaluating existing evaluation systems, and promoting institutional support, among other measures. Implementing these strategies is expected to optimize the professional growth of academics and, therefore, enhance the quality of services provided by universities. Originality/value: Although previous research has acknowledged the impact of these evaluations, this study stands out by exploring how academic identity is shaped and reconfigured over the course of a career.

Este estudio parte del objetivo de analizar la percepción de los inspectores educativos respecto a los directores de los centros. Numerosos estudios en la última década se han centrado en explorar el liderazgo escolar ejercido por los directores como punto esencial en la mejora educativa. La atención se ha centrado principalmente en el punto de vista del propio protagonista (perspectiva interna). Sin embargo, apenas se han desarrollado estudios que analicen el liderazgo escolar desde una perspectiva externa. Para cumplir este objetivo, este estudio emplea una metodología cualitativa a través de un estudio de caso colectivo. Se analizan las voces de siete inspectores de educación sobre diferentes elementos del actual modelo de gestión escolar que determinan su identidad y rol profesional como líderes educativos, así como las posibles soluciones a los problemas más recurrentes detectados al respecto. Los resultados muestran los puntos clave extraídos de las entrevistas con los inspectores: a) hacia un modelo de liderazgo invertido: liderazgo pedagógico sobre liderazgo directivo; b) más allá de la formación inicial, es necesaria la formación continua; c) autonomía escolar frente a rendición de cuentas; d) repensar el proceso de selección: cómo elegir a los mejores candidatos; y e) desafección y desidentificación de la dirección escolar: causas y posibles soluciones. Como conclusión, ser director en el contexto español puede ser un reto por distintas cuestiones. Una de las más señaladas en nuestro estudio fue la dualidad identitaria que los directores experimentan a lo largo de su desempeño profesional. También, el techo de cristal en la dirección escolar fue otro gran dato revelador que emergió del discurso de los inspectores escolares.

Purpose: Improving and assuring the quality of higher education has become a key element of policy agendas worldwide. To this end, a complete accountability system has been developed through various evaluation procedures. Specifically, this study analyzes the perceptions of university teaching staff on the impact of performance appraisal systems on their professional activity, health and personal lives. Design/methodology/approach: The study adopted a nonexperimental descriptive and causal-comparative design using a questionnaire that was completed by a sample of 2,183 Spanish teachers. The data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics and comparisons of differences. Findings: The results show that, according to teachers, the evaluation criteria undermine the quality of their work by encouraging them to neglect teaching, increase scientific production and engage in unethical research practices. Their views also emphasize the social and health-related consequences of an increasingly competitive work climate, including increased stress levels. Finally, significant differences are observed regarding gender, professional category and academic discipline, with women, junior faculty and social sciences teachers expressing particularly strong views. Originality/value: The originality of this study lies in the application of a method that contributes to the international debate through a national perspective (Spain) that has so far received little attention.

Recent decades have seen a major transformation of the Spanish university system caused by changes introduced in the teaching staff evaluation procedure in which research has been prioritized. As a result, there has been a growing interest in studying how these procedures impact the way in which early career academics construct their professional identity. In this vein, this article aims to analyze how the professional identity of this group is constructed and developed in the current context of higher education. To this end, a single case study was conducted, applying a biographical-narrative approach. The results show how professional identity development has become polarized in terms of initial rejection to full acceptance of the demands of modern academia. Consequently, professional practices have also been affected by the prioritization of research over teaching, leading to the development of unethical practices to maintain competitiveness. All of these effects have contributed to high levels of stress and job dissatisfaction. Furthermore, maternity is also seen as an obstacle to female academics’ professional and academic development. Finally, our findings highlight the need for policies that provide full support aimed at helping young researchers live balanced professional lives.

Purpose: Nowadays, networks are the basic core of social organization and interaction; consequently, networking has become an indispensable requirement in today's societies. In education, the development of different types of collaborative networks has been observed, leading, in recent years, to the creation of educational macro-networks that generate links between schools and different types of institutions. Therefore, this study consists of a systematic review to examine the most relevant findings on this type of educational macro-networks. The authors’ objectives were: to examine the main characteristics of this type of networks; to analyze the consequences they cause; and to determine which aspects contribute to or hinder their construction and development.Design/methodology/approach: A bibliographic search was carried out in Web of Science, SCOPUS and Education Resources Information Center, which yielded a total of 29 studies that were analyzed thematically using Nvivo software.Findings: Among the most noteworthy results are: the wide variety of existing structures; the benefits they generate in terms of learning outcomes, educational equity and the reduction of inequalities; and the influence exerted by the type of leadership and policies in the development of this macro-networks. Finally, future lines of research and policy implications for practice are highlighted.Originality/value: In this society, networks have become the basic core of an organization and the new form of social interaction. As a result, networks have begun to play a fundamental role in today's societies, even permeating various spheres such as education. In this context, it is essential to analyse this type of relationship in the field of education in order to truly understand its implications in this sector as well as its development and structure.