Why do two reviewers evaluate the same research so differently? The book explores the hidden mechanisms behind academic gatekeeping, uncovering how reviewers’ judgments shift depending on their underlying logic—whether based on truth-seeking, scholarly reputation, or rigid metrics. By focusing on cases with conflicting outcomes and inconsistencies in standards, it offers a rare glimpse into the complex and (sometimes) unpredictable world of academic promotion. This research not only dissects academic practices within Polish sociology but also provides a broader understanding of how global pressures reshape local scientific communities.