Assessing academic researchers.

On a recent trip to China and India, I had the opportunity to discuss with many young researchers at various universities about the expectations that they must meet in order to succeed professionally. Many of them thought that the road to success was measured in various forms of “scientometric” data, such as h-index factors and the number of publication citations. I do think that scientometric data have their uses, but I am appalled at the overuses and abuses. These discussions encouraged me to share the criteria for making tenure at Stanford University s Chemistry Department, where I was the department chair for six years. I am not necessarily advocating that anyone adopt our ways, which reflect the current American tenure system, but I do think that a careful study of our criteria might be helpful. I am aware of the problems embedded in the American tenure system. I am also very much mindful of the arrogance of foreigners when they are not sensitive to another country s culture and ways. Still, let me dare to offer some advice.