The Research Function of the Academic Profession in Europe

Research, along with teaching, is viewed as a central component of academic work. Research outputs also impact on the reputation of universities and other institutes of higher education as well as affecting the career trajectories of academics. The impact of research at a reputational level is evident in the impetus from management in universities to increase the global standing of their institutions through research outputs and the acquisition of research funding. Furthermore, the investment in research has been aligned to the economic goals of countries and is explicitly stated in policy documents at European Union (EU) level. However, not all academics engage in research and those that do the level of engagement or factors that relate to research engagement are relatively unknown. This chapter presents an analysis on the research function of academics in 12 European countries including levels of research collaboration, research outputs (publications and dissemination of research work), primary emphasis of research, time academics spend on research, research functions and perceptions of the conditions of research work. Comparisons are made at a number of levels including country and career stage of the academics (junior and senior) and institutional type (universities and other higher education institutions). The chapter also explores the factors associated with the research productivity of academics across Europe.