The Latin American University Evaluation System (SILEU), promoted by the Latin American Council of Social Sciences (CLACSO) since 2014, proposes to carry out a process of evaluation and accreditation of the integral academic quality of undergraduate and postgraduate courses in the Social Sciences and Humanities. It is proposed as a gradual implementation scheme that seeks to create a specific field of evaluation for these disciplines, which will lead to the creation of a certifying and/or accrediting agency.
The criteria guiding the SILEU evaluation process are based on the following cross- cutting axes of analysis:
- a) Quality assurance from an approach that is situated and referenced in the matrix of Latin American and Caribbean higher education.
- Orientation towards learning processes and institutional improvement, with a focus on quality education with social relevance and inclusiveness with respect to the plurality of existing approaches, and on the encouragement of collaborative practices and openness in the transmission, production and circulation of knowledge.
- The quantitative and qualitative evaluation of all the activities of the academic life- world, respecting the autonomy of the institutions to prioritise different evaluation criteria in line with their mission project, as well as the perspective of the individuals and groups that are evaluated in their teaching, research, extension and/or liaison activities, among others.
- The search for transparency both in the evaluation processes and in the information systems of higher education, not only for the academic community as a whole, but also for the public.
- The participation of different institutional groups and, in particular, the representation of women in evaluation bodies and processes, with a minimum of parity.
- Strengthening the institution's relationship with its environment based on specific articulations for the social sciences, humanities and arts, whose interactions are key for any democratic society that aims to promote sustainable development and that values diverse cultures and multiple knowledge, including that of the indigenous and Afro- descendant peoples of the region.
The dynamic that develops throughout the evaluation process is based on the principles of exchange, dialogue, agreement and reciprocal recognition between the institution conducting the evaluation (CLACSO), the peer group and the university institution being evaluated, so that the actions are the result of consensus between the parties.
Consequently, the purpose of the evaluation is to contribute to the elaboration of an integral diagnosis in which internal and external perspectives converge, and to the improvement of university degrees in the Social Sciences and Humanities, understanding the evaluation process in terms of non-punitive accompaniment of the institutions and their academic community.
Evaluating the evaluation of scientific production
Diagnosis and proposals for a regional initiative
Declaration of principles: a new academic and scientific evaluation for a science with social relevance in Latin America and the Caribbean
The proposed device has five phases of development.
I.First phase: interinstitutional agreement
Based on the principle of dialogue and agreement with the institution/career to be evaluated, the most relevant elements to be taken into account in the evaluation process will be defined and will form part of the criteria and instruments. This participatory methodology based on transparency and consensus aims to make explicit the meaning of the evaluation - in terms of promoting improvement processes and the accompaniment of the peer group that is formed - on the one hand, and the specificities of the degree programme's proposal and the institution's insertion in the socio-political context, on the other. In other words, although a series of criteria are defined which CLACSO considers central to SILEU with a view to constructing a notion of quality for the Social Sciences and Humanities, this is complemented by the criteria that emerge from the dialogue with the institution.
II. Second phase: reflection by the university community
Collection of information from the institution, using information gathered for similar purposes (for institutional self-evaluation or for submission - mandatory or not - to evaluation and/or accreditation processes, whether national, regional or international).
On the basis of a guide document (evaluation instrument), the team responsible for the evaluation in the degree course will draw up a self-evaluation report that includes the analysis and reflection of the stipulated points, including the identification of areas for improvement.
The aim is to engage as many university and community stakeholders as possible in this process.
III. Third phase: dialogue with peers
From CLACSO's extensive and multidisciplinary network of researchers, a team of peers with outstanding careers in their fields of research and political/social participation will be formed. For each programme (degree programme) a team of peers from different national and institutional contexts will be formed.
The first stage of the peers' work will consist of analysing the self-evaluation report submitted by the university and drawing up a preliminary report with emerging issues to be consulted during the visit to the institution.
In a second instance, the university will receive the peers, who will tour the facilities (including field trips, if necessary) and hold meetings with the different university/community representatives (including authorities, teachers, students, graduates, administrative staff, local social representatives, etc.). Peers and the university community will be able to exchange views and proposals for quality improvement.
The visit to the university will also include the participation of technicians and evaluation coordinators from SILEU's permanent staff.
IV. Fourth phase: evaluation opinion
After the visit, the peers will produce a final evaluation report, together with an opinion, both in draft form for discussion. The university will have the possibility to revise, add, complement and/or question points in the report, providing reasoned arguments for the peer team and, if necessary, making short and medium-term commitments for the improvement of the points that were pointed out as weak.
Following this exchange, the final version of the report and opinion will be drawn up, the latter being of a public nature.
V. Fifth phase: continuous improvement
In cases where obligations for quality improvement have been committed within the stipulated period of time, the university may request a new evaluation.
The mechanism proposes instruments for gathering information and guiding the reflection of the institution and university actors. The self-evaluation process is expected to bring together the university community as a whole, meaning the governing bodies, as well as representatives of the teaching staff, students, graduates, administrative staff and employers, together with social and/or community representatives with whom the university institution and its programmes (degree courses) interact. The final self- evaluation document must be drawn up jointly by those who have participated in this instance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Latin American System of University Evaluation (SILEU) is a CLACSO tool for carrying out a comprehensive academic quality evaluation process of institutions and undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in the Social Sciences and Humanities. Based on a set of criteria developed by CLACSO and dialogue with the participating institutions, an exhaustive evaluation is carried out, which includes the visit of expert peers.
All higher education institutions and undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in the Social Sciences and Humanities, located in Latin America and the Caribbean.
The SILEU platform is open for applications throughout the year. If you are interested in registering, please contact the following email address: [email protected], where the steps to follow will be indicated.
No. Any higher education institution and undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in the Social Sciences and Humanities can apply for evaluation under SILEU.
The costs of the evaluation process are borne jointly by CLACSO and the participating institution.
The evaluators are outstanding members of CLACSO's research network, experts in their different disciplines and with attributes similar to the principles that guide the SILEU evaluation process. CLACSO carries out a training session with the members of the evaluation teams.
These peer reviewers form a pool of experts from the CLACSO network. The institutions reserve the right to recuse peers when they consider it appropriate.
If you have any questions, you can contact us by email.[email protected]
