Problems with university hiring in Spain.

Spain has come a long way in the past 30 years, but in regards to science and technology, the country is suffering from growing pains on its way to claiming its proper place as one of the top 10 economies of the world [Spain ranked eight in total GDP in 2005, according to the World Bank ([1][1])]. The abuse suffered by Antonio Ferriz (“Spain reconsiders its university reform law,” X. Bosch, News of the Week, 10 Nov. 2006, p. [911][2]) would be inconceivable in a system where merit is the principal factor for hiring faculty. Although in recent times, the top universities in Spain have followed well-established procedures in the selection of faculty, the process is riddled with irregularities at smaller universities, which are managed by local governments that place a low priority on research. Increased autonomy for universities must come with increased responsibility. Not hiring the best candidate available constitutes dereliction of duty by university officials. They are responsible to the community that maintains the university. The new university reform law represents a step forward in the process of qualification of candidates, but there are no incentives for universities to hire the best possible candidates. Inbreeding and ethical violations are likely to continue at all but the best universities in Spain until autonomy and responsibility run concurrently. 1. 1.[↵][3] See [http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/DATASTATISTICS/0,contentMDK:20399244∼menuPK:1504474∼pagePK:64133150∼piPK:64133175∼theSitePK:239419,00.html][4]. # {#article-title-2} Although discussion of the problem of inbreeding in Spanish university hiring practices is welcome (“Spain reconsiders its university reform law,” X. Bosch, News of the Week, 10 Nov. 2006, p. [911][2]), it is frustrating to see the debate so narrowly centered around the regulations related to details of hiring procedures: The present system is focused on controlling the procedures (not unlike other European systems) instead of the outcomes. It is sadly true that if universities were left to their own devices, too many decisions would be plainly wrong. But legislating to force academics to make the right choice is a poor remedy for a deeper illness. The real questions are why universities are making poor hiring decisions, and how to reverse this tendency. The answers must be based on the current reality that the general interests of a university and its drive toward excellence are at odds with the interests of its members. A Spanish academic nowadays benefits much less from hiring a world-class, independent new colleague than from promoting a less-qualified subordinate already at the university. This is the heart of the matter and where the debate should be focused: not how to force academics to act against their interests, but how to align these interests with those of their universities. A culture of excellence sinks in very slowly, and growing numbers of excellent academics are thriving in Spain by swimming against the tide. It is time to turn it. If temporary measures are necessary, they should be clearly identified as such, distinguishing them from the final model, in which universities and their members face the consequences of their decisions, as in any other sector of society. [1]: #ref-1 [2]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.314.5801.911 [3]: #xref-ref-1-1 "View reference 1. in text" [4]: http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/DATASTATISTICS/0,contentMDK:20399244~menuPK:1504474~pagePK:64133150~piPK:64133175~theSitePK:239419,00.html