Research evaluation – was it worth the time and effort?

At the Academic Council meeting on 19/6, we had a visit from the head of the Department of Forensic Medicine, Christian Lindholst, who briefed us on the comprehensive evaluation of the departments at Health that has taken place – primarily over the past year and a half.

Resource-intensive process

I have personally participated in the evaluation process, both in the faculty's steering group and in the steering group at the Department of Clinical Medicine. I can therefore say with certainty that the evaluation has drawn heavily on the faculty – particularly on the departments. I must also be honest and say that I was somewhat concerned beforehand about whether this mandatory task was worth the trouble...

Yes – it was worth the time and effort

After seeing the reports from the external panels and the departments' resulting "action plans", I must admit that my doubts have been put to shame. The panels have taken the task very seriously and come up with many excellent and concrete suggestions for improvements that have been well received by the departments. It is also worth noting that the evaluations are all quite positive. Furthermore, the departments and faculty have gained valuable experience that will make future evaluation processes even better and less resource-intensive.

In the coming academic year, we will invite the five department heads to meetings with the Academic Council, where they will have the opportunity to present their evaluation and plans for the future.

Contact

Professor and Council Chair Søren Dinesen Østergaard
Aarhus University, Department of Clinical Medicine
Academic Council
sdo@clin.au.dk
Tel: +45 61282753