Newer researchers are driving up standards in Italy, data show

Revised research evaluation exercise indicates that new hires are bringing greater quality

New researchers seem to be driving up the quality of research in Italy, according to preliminary data from the latest round of the sometimes controversial VQR evaluation exercise.

The third round of the VQR, covering 2015 to 2019, began over a year ago. In this round, the VQR is for the first time taking into account efforts by public and private universities and research institutions to give back to society via technology transfer and academic outreach—the ‘third mission’ of institutions, alongside research and teaching.