Academic recruitment in Spain and Italy

In this contribution to ‘Science’ the authors take the reform of academic recruitment in Spain as a starting point for a critical analysis of the recruitment system in Italy. The Authors analyzed the results of 13 out of 14 concorsi for Professore Ordinario in General Surgery in Italy for the year 2000, and showed that selection of candidates was totally independent of scientific merit, as judged from aggregated Impact Factor. It is concluded that rules setting forth clear and unequivocal standards for rating the quality of the candidates’ work and research, as well as a greater opening to the wider cultural and scientific community are needed.