How Professionalized Are the Academic Hiring Processes in Chilean Universities?

Abstract

The professionalization of academic hiring processes in Chilean universities is a topic of increasing importance. With mounting pressures to enhance scientific productivity, understanding how faculty members are selected remains a critical enquiry. This study addresses this research gap, by conducting a qualitative case study of seven academic departments affiliated with universities of varying scientific capacities.To perform the study, recommendations of hiring practices of foreign universities have been followed, focusing on recruitment and evaluation of unconscious biases. Findings reveal that most academic departments employ open calls and formal hiring committees, and also there is a significant absence of discussion about how unconscious biases affect hiring decisions. Moreover, hiring criteria tend to favor candidates who are part of academic networks, as they are perceived as more dependable candidates and more likely to accept a potential job offer.