Surreal illustration of a university campus with towering books symbolizing the pressure to publish.

The Silent Crisis in European Universities: Are Non-Publishing Academics Dragging Down Research?

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Elliot Brynn in Mind & Education December 2025 • 4 min read.

"A revealing look at the surprising number of academics in European universities who aren't publishing research, and what it means for the future of higher education."


In the traditional view, a university academic is both a teacher and a researcher, contributing to the body of knowledge through publications. But what happens when academics, employed full-time at European universities, don't publish? A new study reveals a surprisingly high number of these 'non-publishers,' raising critical questions about the direction of higher education.

Across Europe, hundreds of thousands of academics are not actively publishing research. Is this a sign of a system struggling to adapt to massification, where the pressures of teaching and administration leave less time for research? Or does it indicate a deeper shift in the expectations and priorities within the academic profession?

This article delves into the findings of a comprehensive study across 11 European countries, examining the prevalence of non-publishing academics and exploring the factors that contribute to this phenomenon. We'll uncover the stark differences between countries, the impact on research output, and the potential consequences for the future of European universities.

The Non-Publishing Divide: A Cross-Country Comparison

Surreal illustration of a university campus with towering books symbolizing the pressure to publish.

Data drawn from the "Changing Academic Profession" (CAP) and "Academic Profession in Europe" (EUROAC) surveys paints a revealing picture of the non-publishing landscape. The study, encompassing Austria, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom, highlights significant disparities in research output across nations.

The numbers are striking. In Poland, over 40% of academics are classified as research nonperformers. In contrast, countries like Finland, Portugal, Norway, and Germany see rates between 15% and 20%. The lowest rates are found in Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom, where less than 10% of academics are not actively publishing.

  • Poland: 43.2% of academics are non-publishers.
  • Finland: 20.2% of academics are non-publishers.
  • Portugal: 18.3% of academics are non-publishers.
  • Norway: 15.9% of academics are non-publishers.
  • Germany: 15.4% of academics are non-publishers.
  • Switzerland: 12.4% of academics are non-publishers.
  • Ireland: 9.1% of academics are non-publishers.
  • United Kingdom: 5.7% of academics are non-publishers.
  • Italy: 5.4% of academics are non-publishers.
  • Netherlands: 2.7% of academics are non-publishers.
These differences reflect a complex interplay of factors, including institutional culture, national academic norms, and historical contexts. Institutions with lower academic standing may not prioritize research as highly, while those with a strong research focus exert greater pressure on academics to publish. For example, Poland, until recently, had fewer normative pressures encouraging research involvement.

A System Clogged? The Implications of Non-Publishing

The presence of a significant number of non-publishing academics raises serious concerns about the overall research competitiveness of European universities, especially in countries like Poland, Finland, and Portugal. Without policy interventions, the global standing of these institutions could be jeopardized.

While it may be unrealistic to expect every academic to publish, universities derive their prestige from research output. The study suggests that non-performers should be encouraged to transition to less research-intensive roles or consider leaving academia altogether. The increasing importance of competitive research funding further exacerbates this issue, potentially limiting opportunities for unproductive scholars.

Ultimately, the growing disparity between high and low publishing academics points to an increasing social stratification within science. As John Ziman argued, a system can become clogged by persistently low achievement. Addressing this challenge is crucial for maintaining the vitality and competitiveness of European higher education in the long run, requiring careful consideration of recruitment, retention, and progression policies.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.6017/ihe.2015.82.8866, Alternate LINK

Title: Non-Publishers In European Universities

Subject: General Medicine

Journal: International Higher Education

Publisher: Boston College University Libraries

Authors: Marek Kwiek

Published: 2015-09-01

Everything You Need To Know

1

What surveys provided the data for understanding the number of non-publishing academics in European universities, and which countries were included in the study?

The surveys "Changing Academic Profession" (CAP) and "Academic Profession in Europe" (EUROAC) were used to gather data across 11 European countries: Austria, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. These surveys provide a detailed look at the percentage of academics who aren't actively publishing research in each country.

2

Which European countries have the highest percentages of academics who aren't actively publishing research, and how does this affect their universities?

Countries like Poland, Finland, and Portugal have a notable percentage of academics who aren't actively publishing research. Specifically, Poland shows over 40% of academics as research nonperformers, while Finland, Portugal and Norway have rates between 15% and 20%. This impacts the overall research output and competitiveness of universities in these nations.

3

What are the primary reasons or factors that might explain why some academics in European universities are not actively publishing research?

Several factors contribute to academics not actively publishing. These include institutional culture, where some institutions may not prioritize research as highly, and national academic norms, where there may be fewer normative pressures encouraging research involvement. The study also implies that the massification of higher education, leading to increased teaching and administrative loads, leaves less time for research.

4

What are the potential long-term consequences for European universities if a significant portion of their academic staff does not actively engage in publishing research?

A high number of academics not actively publishing can jeopardize the global standing of European universities, particularly in countries such as Poland, Finland, and Portugal. Decreased research output can negatively impact university prestige, funding opportunities, and the ability to attract top talent. Without intervention, these institutions risk falling behind in global rankings.

5

How does Poland compare to other European countries included in the study regarding the percentage of academics not actively publishing, and what might explain this difference?

Poland, with over 40% of academics classified as research nonperformers, stands out as having the highest percentage among the countries studied. This can be attributed to historical contexts and fewer normative pressures encouraging research involvement, until recently. In contrast, countries like the Netherlands, Italy, Ireland and the United Kingdom show much lower percentages, with less than 10% of academics not actively publishing.

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