Instruments of accountability in Brazilian higher education - Academic rankings in the Parliamentary Inquiry Commission on the Administration of São Paulo State Universities - April 4, 2023 - Research study findings

Oct 15, 2026

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The study investigates how academic rankings were institutionalized and used as accountability tools by Brazilian public universities. It analyzes references to rankings within the Parliamentary Inquiry Commission on the Administration of São Paulo State Universities held from April 24 to November 5, 2019, using recordings, transcripts of 20 meetings, and the commission’s final report. Findings show rankings used as evidence of academic quality and excellence, shaping legislative opinion and prompting universities to respond and be accountable.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages23

Reading Time58 min

AccessFree to download

Overview

Research design and data sources

Institutionalization of academic rankings

Forms of ranking mobilization

Governance and accountability implications

| education policy analysis archives
A peer-reviewed, independent, open access, multilingual journal | | | --- | --- | | Arizona State University | | | Volume 31 Number 36 April 4 , 2023 ISSN 1068-2341 | | Instruments of Accountability in Brazilian Higher Education: Academic Rankings in the Parliamentary Inquiry Commission on the Administration of São Paulo State Universities1 André Dutra Martins & Gladys Beatriz Barreyro Universidade de São Paulo Brasil Citation: Martins, A. D., & Barreyro, G. B. (2023) . Instruments of accountability in Brazilian higher education: Academic rankings in the Parliamentary Inquiry Commission on the Administration of São Paulo State Universities. Education Policy Analysis Archives, 31(36) . [https://doi.org/10.14507/epaa.31.7398](https://doi.org/10.14507/epaa.31.7398) Abstract: This study shows findings of an investigation into the forms of institutionalizing academic rankings as accountability tools for Brazilian public universities. The absence of institutional conditions which allowed the rise of these league tables in other countriescompetitive admission markets and incorporation into public policies-evinces the peculiarity of the Brazilian case. This study examines the institutionalization of academic rankings in Brazil by analyzing references to rankings in the Parliamentary Inquiry Commission on the Administration of São Paulo State Universities, which took place in the São Paulo State Assembly from April 24, 2019, to November 5, 2019. Document analysis was conducted on audios and transcriptions of 1 This is an unofficial translation, provided by the author, of the original peer-reviewed Portuguese-language version. all 20 Commission meetings and the final report published at the São Paulo State Official Journal. Our findings indicate the idea of ranking performances as evidence of academic quality and excellence, raising questions regarding the rankings and governance structures of universities. Academic rankings have become relevant references to form opinions at the São Paulo State Assembly, prompting universities to actively respond to rankings and holding them accountable for their results. Keywords: higher education; academic rankings; accountability; public universities Instrumentos de accountability en la educación superior brasileña: La presencia de los rankings académicos en la Comisión Investigadora de las Universidades Públicas de São Paulo Resumen: Este texto presenta los resultados de una investigación que analizó los rankings académicos como instrumentos de rendición de cuentas de las universidades públicas brasileñas, centrándose en el análisis del uso de los rankings en el ámbito de la Comisión Investigadora de las Universidades de São Paulo, desarrollada en el Congreso del Estado de São Paulo, Brasil, entre el 24 de abril y el 5 de noviembre de 2019. Se trata de una investigación documental que analizó elinforme final y los audios y transcripciones de las 20 reuniones de la Comisión. Se realizo análisis de contenido, seleccionando fragmentos en los que se mencionaba a los rankings académicos. Seencontraron cuatro diferentes formas de movilización de los rankings en los documentos: cuestionamiento de las universidades por los resultados alcanzados, benchmarks para el cambio institucional, disputas interpretativas y alabanza institucional. Los datos muestran la asimilaciónde los resultados obtenidos en los rankings con la calidad y la excelencia académicas. Hubo cuestionamientos sobre los resultados obtenidos y la gobernanza de las instituciones. Seconcluye que los rankings son referentes en la formación de la opinión de la legislatura paulista lo que lleva a las universidades a informar y responsabilizarse por sus resultados. Palabras-clave: educación superior; rankings académicos; accountability; universidades públicas Instrumentos de accountability na educação superior brasileira: A presença dos rankings acadêmicos na Comissão Parlam

FAQs

What is the document’s main focus?

It examines how academic rankings were institutionalized and used as accountability tools by Brazilian public universities.

What materials were analyzed in the investigation?

The study analyzes audios and transcriptions from 20 commission meetings, the final report, and references published in the São Paulo State Official Journal.

When did the Parliamentary Inquiry Commission take place?

It occurred from April 24, 2019, to November 5, 2019.

How do the findings describe the role of academic rankings?

Academic rankings became key references for forming opinions in the São Paulo State Assembly, driving universities to respond to rankings and be accountable for their results.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by acoobca