Karlstad University: Response to SSF Research Strategy for 2012 – 2017
Teknik Naturvetenskap Former för ansökan
Thomas Blom
2011-09-02 14:05, reviderat 2011-09-02 14:10
Karlstad University welcomes the opportunity to actively participate in the consultation process for Stiftelsen för Strategisk Forskning (SSF) research strategy for 2012 – 2017.
The university acknowledges the importance of SSF within the research and research funding arenas and in particular their strategic importance to a modern university that is open for cooperative and innovative collaboration with partners inside and outside the academy.
After considering the strategy documentation provided by SSF and using the knowledge within the university in relation to Stiftelsen för Strategisk Forskning current research strategy the following recommendations and comments are put forward for your consideration.
SSF could and has the potential to play a more strategic role in creating funding opportunities that would foster more collaborative research approaches between universities within Sweden. This approach could also be used as a tool for creating multidisciplinary research that provide a better fit to research questions asked for by the surrounding society. We observe a movement within many funding agencies and bodies towards ‘large research environments’. Unfortunately, this approach does not always guarantee academic quality. Large research environments are advantages to university that has critical mass within the specific thematic areas. However, critical mass can also be achieved by the inter-university collaborative approaches. Smaller research environments have an advantage in being more flexible and therefore can respond faster to research demands and adapt to the specific nature that the research addresses. Specifically Karlstad University has been successful in creating research groups who’s multidisciplinary composition have been successful.
Currently within Sweden the concept of national graduate schools for PhD students is weak. We are of the firm opinion that Stiftelsen för Strategisk Forskning could play a major role through its research strategy to develop strong research environments for PhD candidates. The introduction of PhD candidate’s mobility between research environments within a national graduate school would stimulate scientific interaction, innovative research, discussions and importantly multidisciplinary networks for the students. This approach would also build capacity that would prepare the future early year researchers to enter the arena of European funding and have national and international networks to support with this development and process.
On reflection of the bigger research agenda and funding opportunities we see a particular gap opening. Currently they are opportunities for early year researchers that are in the first 7 years after completing their PhD. They are also extensive opportunities for more senior and experienced researchers. However, there is a strategic gap for the researchers with an 8 year period or more after completion of the PhD. This is an area that could be explicitly considered within the new strategy and currently is not. The Autonomy Bill has also the potential to impact further on this as the funding to appointments as assistant professor (“forskarassistent”) or externally financed researchers or research fellows (“VR:s och KVA:s särskilda forskartjänster”) is dramatically reduced. SSF could consider the development of specific tools within its research strategy that would address this issue and contribute positively to engaging this group in specific programmes.
The Ingvar Carlsson Award is a very important grant opportunity for early stage researchers to return to Sweden after a postdoctoral period abroad. However some of the conditions, requirements and expectations set out may be viewed as unrealistic and very difficult for young researchers that have come through the academic system to obtain. A greater degree of flexibility within the timelines and requirements would open this opportunity up and allow for early stage researchers to apply and use it is an opportunity to develop their growing networks. In particular within this award and also across of the areas there seems to be a tension between academic excellence and strategic relevance to Swedish competition. Some more clarity on this issue that provides a more structured framework of understanding of the expectations in relation to academic excellence and strategic relevance woulwould be welcome.
Karlstad University has a strong tradition and track record within the field of material science for application. We support and suggest a specific programme for this field. However we strongly suggest that the scope should be widened from construction materials. This would allow areas such as fibre-based materials, nanomaterials and inorganic and organic photovoltics to be included.
We thank SSF for providing the opportunity to participate in this open and transparent consultation and we look forward to seeing the fruits of the process.
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