Research Assessment Exercise 2020 report - Biolaitos

2 Nov 2021


      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