(Original Swedish post published 8 May.)
This week and next, 19 panels of external experts will visit our University. Today we were pleased to welcome the first group – 10 panels made up of 68 experts from 17 different countries. The experts’ role is to analyse the strengths and weaknesses of our research environments and to recommend ways to improve our activities. Q&R17 – which stands for Quality and Renewal 2017 – is the third evaluation Uppsala University has carried out, on our own initiative, following rounds in 2007 and 2011. The purpose this time is not to grade and rank but to give good advice as critical friends through constructive collegial dialogue so that we can develop and become even better. Q&R17 also includes reflection on the links between research and education, and between research and external collaboration.
An exercise of this kind requires a lot of work on the part of many people and we in the University management are impressed that everyone involved has devoted so much time and thought to it. Today it was especially pleasing to meet our external panelists, who asked many questions and showed great interest. This bodes well for a rewarding week for everyone involved. We look forward to summing up the first week on Friday and then gathering ourselves to welcome the next group in a week’s time. Read more here.