Hi again
The overall scoring was missing from the previous mail; our overall scoring was 5/6.
Jouni
Lähettäjä: biolaitos-bounces@lists.oulu.fi biolaitos-bounces@lists.oulu.fi Puolesta Jouni Aspi Lähetetty: tiistai 2. marraskuuta 2021 12.54 Vastaanottaja: biolaitos@lists.oulu.fi Aihe: [Biolaitos] Research Assessment Exercise 2020 report
Research Assessment Exercise 2020 report : international evaluation of research at the University of Oulu has been published: http://jultika.oulu.fi/Record/isbn978-952-62-3112-9
We have done very well. Our overall scoring was /6 and ranking of RUs evaluated by the Biosciences, Health and the Environment (BHE) panel was 6th.
EcoGen - Ecology and Genetics Assessment results:
* Scientific quality and impact of the research = Very good * Societal impact of the research = Excellent * Quality of the research environment = Excellent * Future potential = Excellent * OVERALL ASSESSMENT = Excellent
General description of the RU In Ecology and Genetics Research Unit high quality research is carried out in several research groups in various fields of biology. The main topics include (i) community, population, evolutionary and behavioural ecology, (ii) conservation, population and ecological genetics and genomics, (iii) biodiversity genomics and DNA-barcoding, (iv) ancient-DNA and domestication studies, (v) improvement of natural resources (e.g. forest, freshwater, wildlife, berries), and (vi) interactions between organisms of different trophic levels and ecosystem processes and vii) global change ecology and biogeochemistry. The emphasis in the unit is on basic research with some application linked to development of natural resources or lifelong health. Research of the unit have had a wide societal impact including environmental education and environmental legislation, co-operation with the general public and authorities in nature related issues, development of scientific platforms for scientist and general public, development of new medical treatments and even supporting creation of new spin-off companies.
Current description of the RU (rating 5) EcoGen members conduct a range of diverse research broadly held together by the theme of arctic biodiversity. The topics include three broad areas, including research on arctic climate, genomic techniques in breeding arctic organisms, and biodiversity assessment (barcoding). Overall, most projects show a high degree of interdisciplinarity, in part stimulated by the collaborations within the unit and with groups across the faculties at Oulu. The EcoGen RU comes across as influential and active in the wider communities of a range of fields of biology, however the quality and impact of the different contributions are somewhat variable. The research output is good, given the size of the RU, and a good proportion of publications are in the highest Jufo 3 category. EcoGen members are represented in multiple national and international scientific boards and committees, as partners in EU projects, are involved in review panels, and contribute to other activities such as development of global biodiversity databases. The unit is well connected nationally and internationally, with multiple collaborative projects, networks and grants held jointly with other universities (mainly in Finland, Scandinavia and EU) and research institutes. The impact on society is through excellence of science, e.g., topics of climate change on weather patterns (snowfall) or intriguing experiments on bees to improve the public understanding of the importance of insect decline. Several research groups and their collaboration networks have clear societal and applied aims, particularly in the areas of resource use, ecosystem restoration, and conservation.
Future potential of the RU (rating 5) EcoGen has an ambitious aim for developing excellence in research at the forefront of biodiversity and Arctic research. The RU is well set up to provide leadership in arctic ecology, by integrating the various research foci on freshwater, forests, insects and biodiversity. The planned research is strongly targeting relevant UN SDGs, and presents a range of research trajectories to deliver this research. This research is of great interest to society and eminently fundable. There is an ongoing generational change, with new hires predominantly in tenure-track positions, several of them only recently announced, and available positions have attracted high quality applicants. Great emphasis is on mobility at all levels from PhD students to senior staff, which adds to the future potential of the RU.
Highlights, strengths and development areas, recommendations and overall rating (5)
Highlights:
* A substantial expansion of the biodiversity genomics (barcoding) programme has recently been funded by the Finnish Academy. * Recent high-profile papers on climate change have attracted great interest from the science community and general public.
Strengths and development areas: The integration of different aspects of arctic biodiversity and sustainability research, together with a multidisciplinary methodological approach (from genomics, to ecosystem ecology and biogeochemistry) has great potential.
Recommendations: The RU has the potential to deliver high impact research, and has potential for scientific leadership in several research areas. As presented, the future goals may not be sufficiently ambitious; the RU should take a more proactive approach and seek leadership internationally. The RU would benefit from a more coherent approach for individual PIs to contribute towards developing an internationally leading role in focal areas. The unit should strive for greater integration, given the different disciplines represented. It is not clear what is the formal status of the "Biodiversity Unit" which appears separate from the Ecology & Genetics RU. Equally the arctic biogeochemistry group seems incompletely integrated with the other components. The Action Plan has a very promising overall ambition, but without presenting a very concrete plan on how to deliver it. Clear, achievable goals are needed to capitalise on the unique sets of expertise and interdisciplinarity.
Thus, well done everybody and congratulations.
Jouni