Academics can excel in many areas, but thus far they have primarily been assessed based on research achievements. From now on, the public knowledge institutions and research funders want to consider academics' knowledge and expertise more broadly in determining career policy and grant requirements.

Proposals include new job classifications, a rolling back of metrics, and shorter publication lists in a bid to end excessive 'emphasis on research performance'.

Evaluation reforms will go round in circles without conceptual clarity, warns Anna Hatch.