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

Panel 6 – social SCIENCEs
abolished to make integration possible for common people. Universities
and their employees are by definition the most international institutions
and professionals. To our disappointment we cannot find anything from
the department report that reflects our expectations. The political science
department in Copenhagen is big, internationally oriented, and the
quality is high. Also the sub disciplines in Copenhagen seem to fit well
with those in Lund.
Danish and Swedish are defined as different languages divided by state
borders. If the latter would not be the case probably these two languages
could be defined as one with two main sub variations. Common people
who commute have easily overcome the language differences in their
work and living in the region. If common people can integrate, why is
it so complicated for the universities and their academic staff? So far it
looks like a tragedy seldom heard of. If needed, short courses in Danish
can be easily organised and Danish books can be included in teaching
and exams for the students.
The distance from Lund to Copenhagen is small in terms of travelling
time and language difference, distance to the English language and the
international arena is much greater. In fact and by definition, crossing
the bridge is an act of internationalisation both for the scholars in
Lund and in Copenhagen. Measures must be taken now by these two
departments to rapidly enhance institutional collaboration in terms
of exchange, joint courses, research projects, seminars to begin with.
Otherwise we must conclude that Lund University has very successfully
fulfilled the intentions from 1666 to turn the former Danes in Skåne
into Swedish nationalists. The plan for the future grades under these
circumstances only good.
7. Department of Social
and Economic Geography
7.1 Introduction
The Department of Social and Economic Geography of Lund University
has a long and distinguished international academic reputation. Despite
its relatively small size (it is below average size in the Social Sciences),
it stands out as one of Sweden’s leading geography departments, particularly
in the well-established research domains of the department. The
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