Aalto University Research Assessment Exercise completed

The results of the Aalto University Research Assessment exercise were published on 4 September 2009. The reports by the expert panels are available at the Aalto University web pages, aaltouniversity.info.  The assessment identified impact on society as a particular strength of the research at the future Aalto University. Intensive cooperation for example with industry is a special characteristic of the research at Aalto University and a competitive advantage in the international market.

The research assessment exercise implemented by the Helsinki School of Economics (HSE), the University of Art and Design Helsinki (TaiK) and Helsinki University of Technology (TKK), carried out by international expert panels assessed the quality of research at 46 units of the three universities in order to find out the quality and scientific and societal impact of their research, the research environment of the units and their potential for developing into world-class research units.

On average, the scores given for the units were higher than good by international standards in each of the assessed areas, and many were excellent. What is more, several units were already considered to carry out world-class research.

A shared special characteristic and strength of HSE, TaiK and TKK turned out to be the societal impact of their research: it was assessed as being outstanding or very good by international standards in nearly 70% of the units. In addition to its societal impact, the scientific quality of the research and the units’ potential for development were assessed very positively; many units were assessed as having the potential to develop into world-class research units.

The expert panels stressed that, to eventually rank among the world's top universities, Aalto University must increasingly focus on basic research and promote the systematic and goal-oriented development of its research. The panels encouraged Aalto University to create an internationally comparable and attractive tenure track system for young researchers.

The observations, advice and suggestions of the panels will be used for the strategic planning of Aalto University and for identifying the strong points of its research. The units which received the best scores in this assessment will be rewarded with additional research funding for the years 2010–2012.

You can read all the assessment reports at http://www.aaltouniversity.info/aaltorae.

To find out more about the assessment or to comment on it, please write to [email protected].