ReseaRch Quality assuRance foR the futuRe a ... - Lund University

Panel 3 – arts
The multi-disciplinary approach characterizing the department’s subject
fields seem to be an important asset. Disciplinary borders seem to be
crossed easily.
The department represents a national centre of competence within the
field of Book History.
The output of the department measured by publications has had a
positive development. The number of publications in 2007 is 300 per
cent higher than in 2003. The section on History of Science and Ideas
seems to be the most research active at the moment, although the section
on library and information science has a very high proportion of its most
recent publications in high ranking international peer reviewed journals.
The output of doctoral degrees with approximately 2 per year is satisfactory
when compared to an academic staff of only 17.
An international orientation seems to characterize the research of the
department, partly through its publication pattern (LIS), partly through
building international networks (History of Ideas and Sciences).
4.2 Research infrastructure.
The internal organization seems to work fine, although the self evaluation
indicates that the multidisciplinary potential could be utilized even more
efficiently. Concrete plans have been developed and initiatives taken
to develop this potential. The number of academic staff within the four
sections is limited. That seems, however, to be compensated for through
cooperation with other institutions in the same field, for instance the
department’s participation in NORSLIS (Nordic research School in
Library and Information Science) and through cooperation within the
department. Existing plans aiming at an organizational restructuring are
also important in this respect. And although small, the department is a
national and Nordic centre of competence within the field of book history.
The economic situation of the department has deteriorated during the
period of evaluation. External funding has fallen from 3,6 MSEK to 1,9
MSEK which must be described as a dramatic reduction. The fact that
the department in spite of this during the period of evaluation has been
able to increase its research output in the form of a marked increase in the
number of publications indicate that it represents a vital environment.
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