Book: In Pursuit of Knowledge: Scholars, Status, and Academic Culture (Stanford University Press)

In an interview to the author of this book about academic careers:

Q: How does the quest for status shape academic careers these days?

A: Pressure for recognition has led to an undervaluation of teaching and an overproduction of scholarship that is inconsequential and unintelligible except to a few specialists. In many fields, the pursuit of status has put a premium on esoteric theory and sophisticated models, and diverted attention from potentially more useful empirical and policy-oriented publications. Faculty subject to these pressures may have too little time for advising, mentoring, administration, and public service, as well as writing for general audiences. Self-promotion also leads to unattractive behavior in many academic settings, such as panels, conferences and meetings. Academic novels delight in parodying professors intent on proving to each other just how smart they really are. Life too often imitates art.