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

Panel 8 – medicine | clinical
It was not fully clear to the panels how the Faculty plans to secure senior
Faculty members within strategic important areas. For the moment, this
is reflected by an example of imbalanced leadership: there are several professors
and senior investigators involved in diabetes and diabetic research
within the 2 Departments of Clinical Medicine in Lund and Malmö
(a very strong research area within the Faculty; see details); while at the
same time only one professor covering the whole field of gastroenterology.
While this subject may be well covered by consultants also involved in
research within this area at the clinical departmental level, this does not
fully compensate for this vulnerability.
The Faculty may need to develop a general strategy if they plan headhunting
people of outstanding qualifications from the outside. While
personal conditions will be subject to negotiations, the fact a “supporting
package” (regarding technical assistance and so on) may account for
something around 500.000 SEK a year does not make the Faculty
compatible at an international level.
All in all, the belief of this panel is the Faculty may benefit from making
a fundamental analysis with respect to securing key academic positions
with qualified persons, as well as optimal recruitment among junior
investigators. At this stage, the fear of the panel is the medical faculty
may find themselves non-competitive at an international level in this area
over the years to come unless there is a clear strategic plan for recruiting,
and a commitment to provide the necessary resources (space, funding,
support personnel) at a competitive level.
1.2 Locations
The fact that the Faculty practice at 2 major Hospitals located 20 km
apart poses certain significant problems to the scientific activity (see
in particular comments with respect to dept of Pathology, Lund, and
ophthalmology). We understand this is mainly decided based on County
Health Decisions (clinical management); yet, it represents a challenge
to the Faculty in every respect to look for allocation / relocation opportunities
with respect to research activity based on potentials to improve
research standards through synergisms and tend to avoid “political”
solutions to such problems that, in the opinion of the panel members,
rarely become successful. We recommend that the Faculty consider a
stronger integration with respect to research activities between the Lund
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