In my thesis, I set out to study academic peer reviews in the hope of clarifying the experts’ views on what qualities and qualifications are desirable when appointing or promoting scholars within History of Science. I also investigate whether or not these views change over the years, as I have studied opinions written between 1980 and 2010. I use a qualitative method of analysis, in which I study what words in the peer reviews are used to describe certain values, and how these words relate to the historical and political background of History of Science in Sweden. My research indicates that academic experts are starting to adapt their opinions to the change in educational politics that has taken place during the second half of the 20th century. The Swedish system of academic peer review is also showing signs of possible decline in certain areas. However, the change in what qualities and qualifications are highly esteemed by the experts has, in many ways, been slow and many values remain the same throughout the studied years.