KoF24 Medfarm: Board decides on guidelines for the research evaluation

The goal of KoF24 is to strengthen Uppsala University’s ability to conduct research of the highest quality and relevance. KoF24 is expected to contribute to increased knowledge about the conditions, opportunities and challenges of research, and to provide recommendations from external assessors as a foundation for quality development at all levels of the University.

The structure of KoF24 in the Vice-Chancellor's directive (UFV 2022/1003) comprises two parts. One part with two university-wide themes and thematic evaluation of a) Research infrastructure and b) Interdisciplinarity and multidisciplinarity. The second part includes disciplinary domain-driven evaluation of research and research environments in the areas:

1. Development and renewal of research and research environments
2. Collaboration with the surrounding society
3. Recruitment, career paths and career support
4. Connection between research and education

Preliminary study in 2023

During the spring of 2023, the Disciplinary Domain conducted a preliminary study which resulted in a directive with a framework for KoF24 Medfarm. The directive describes how the evaluation should be carried out with a reasonable level of ambition, including structure, schedule, organisation and background material.

Objectives for KoF24

The goal of KoF24 Medfarm is to identify good research environments, especially those research environments that have potential to develop. The starting-point for the evaluation is the four aspects of the Vice-Chancellor's directive and the disciplinary domain's goals and strategies, Vision:Medfarm.

Vision:Medfarm – Disciplinary Domain of Medicine and Pharmacy

Implementation

In its implementation, Q&R Medfarm will benefit from previous work and use relevant data on the disciplinary domain, compilations of basic data, bibliometrics and relevant indicators from Vision: Medfarm. During the implementation process, self-evaluations, interviews, and site visits by external evaluators, may be used as evaluation methods. The research evaluation should be carried out with a reasonable level of ambition.

Organisation of KoF24 Medfarm

KoF24 Medfarm will have a steering group consisting of Mats Larhed, Vice-Rector, Eva Tiensuu Janson, Deputy Vice-Rector, Karin Forsberg Nilsson, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Mathias Hallberg, Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy.

The practical work will largely be carried out by a faculty office group. Reference groups may be involved in the preparatory work. The Disciplinary Domain Board’s working committee (AU) will decide on external reviewers for KoF24 Medfarm. The Vice-Rector delegates assignments in connection with KoF24 Medfarm.

The results

The results of the research evaluation may be used as a basis for prioritising future efforts within the framework of regular operational planning.

What’s next

• Autumn 2023: The Disciplinary domains report timetables for implementation to the Vice-Chancellor.
• January 2024: Compilation of documentation and dispatch to the departments.
• February 2024: Self-evaluation of departments.
• April 2024: Conducting possible interviews.
• August 2024: Compilation of documentation and dispatch to the panel.
• October 2024: Panel visits.
• November 2024–February 2025: Compilation of the report.
• February 2025: Report from KoF24 Medfarm completed and submitted to the Vice-Chancellor.
• April 2025: The Vice-Chancellor hosts a research evaluation conference for Uppsala University.

Information about the continued process for KoF24 Medfarm

The Faculty Office will continuously update the intranet with relevant information about the process. Those involved in the work will be invited to meetings, and results will be presented at department meetings and faculty meetings.

Ebba Burman