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

Panel 6 – social SCIENCEs
5.3 Collaboration
Gender Studies collaborates within Lund University on PhD training,
but the attached documentation does not provide data on research collaboration,
which no doubt occurs. The department has a long tradition of
participating in international curriculum development and other training
activities, but it does not participate in joint international research projects.
The department does not report any regional or national research
co-operation either, which is a pity. However, the publications of some
scholars, most significantly in the field of post-colonial studies, indicate
international profiles and strong international links on an individual
level. The wide network of international contacts that the department as
well as individual scholars embrace enables future research collaboration
with external competitive funding.
5.4 Research activity and teaching
Gender Studies follows the tradition among Gender Studies Centres
of having established a very strong connection between research and
training. This includes the contents of training and the high competence
of teachers. On BA and MA levels the relations are remarkably good.
In PhD training the collaboration is in the process of development and
needs both monitoring and sufficient resources in order to be productive.
One could consider whether it would benefit the research and training
milieu to increase the number of PhD students up to 5–6, or if the
present arrangements are enough to provide the current 3 PhD students
with a sufficiently enriching environment.
5.5 Evaluation of future plans
The department reports Gendered Communities, explored in relation to
key terms such as solidarity and social justice as its upcoming research
profile. This new profile will possibly follow the centre’s present orientation.
To draw on the current profile is an excellent choice, but the future
plan seems to need much improvement and efficient integration of the
scholars’ projects as well as of individual research profiles in order to
become a competitive project (or research programme). At the moment
the plan is rated good. The department could choose one of three options:
collaboration within the faculty, national/regional co-operation or
international collaboration. Being a small department, choices have to be
made. In addition, given the limited resources, either training or research
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