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

Panel 13 – PHYSICS / MATHEMATICS
5.7 Overall assessment
The current state of the Centre of Mathematics gives the impression of a
loosely connected collection of individuals and individual groups. Some
of them have been outstanding, but have lost capacity during the last
decade. Some are still very good, but have to fight with other burdens.
There is surprisingly little contact between them, even if this would be
easily possible. A restructuring of the Centre of Mathematics, thinking
carefully about what is necessary for a good education, what may be the
main topics, which cooperate with each other and, at the same time, can
get or maintain international reputation, seems to be really necessary.
In spite of the loss of outstanding analysts, classical mathematical analysis
still maintains a strong position in Lund, as in Sweden in general. But
even here, the combination of these fields at the Centre of Mathematics
seems to be accidental. Some fundamental disciplines such as topology,
algebraic geometry, and logic are missing. Some central disciplines for
application, which are also missing, are for example stochastic analysis,
which would provide a natural link between statistics, probability and
measurement theory, functional analysis, mathematical physics, mathematical
biology and mathematical finance. We believe, that research and
cooperation within the MC and with the whole LU would, in the long
run, benefit from the inclusion of such central mathematical disciplines.
In the applied field, the panel miss mainly scientific computing as an
extension of Numerical Analysis, and miss a stronger group on mathematical
modeling, which could interact with scientific computing in developing
simulations etc. Optimization is also an important area not well
represented at the Centre of Mathematics. All these fields are also crucial
for a better interaction with other departments and centres.
It is an important principle, that teaching and research belong together
at all schools and institutions at good universities. Therefore, it is recommended
that Lund University abolishes the pure teaching positions, and
that all faculty positions have approximately equal commitments to both
teaching and research. Moreover, they should all be provided with good
working conditions for the research. Too high teaching loads reduce the
quality of the university.
The financial support for research should be made approximately the
same for all faculty members of the same rank, especially independent
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