The culture of scientific productivity and its effects on faculty mental health
Keywords:
Mental health, Scientific production, Teachers, Research cultureAbstract
Currently, university life is shaped by a logic of scientific productivity that has turned the phrase “publish or perish” into a structural requirement. This academic culture prioritizes the quantity of publications over a comprehensive evaluation of teaching activities, which has led to a series of adverse consequences, such as the deterioration of faculty mental health. The pressure to meet quantifiable metrics—often without adequate resources or conditions—forces faculty members to sacrifice their personal time, increasing their workload and negatively impacting their well-being. Most concerning is the normalization of these conditions, which obscures the distress experienced and reinforces harmful institutional models. Therefore, a critical review of current evaluation systems is needed, along with the development of university policies that foster healthy work environments, where academic development is balanced with respect for faculty mental health and well-being.
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