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

Panel 15 – LTH | product development
professors have been attracted from industry, which shows a close relationship
with industry. The potential social impact of the research, e.g. in
hybrid vehicles and distributed electric power systems, is considerable.
2.3.4 Vitality Very good (4)
The academic staff has slightly increased from 6 to 7, with an average
age of 55. The department has a clear strategic plan to promote younger
faculty members to full and associate professorships. Three persons from
industry are applying for associate professorship in 2008. How the plans
to strengthen the collaboration with Swedish power industry will be
realized remains to be seen.
The absence of long-term financing is considered by the EIA Department
as a major threat to its vitality
2.4 Collaboration Excellent (5)
The international research collaboration is very intensive, with 6 visiting
researchers at post-doc level and higher, three visiting PhD students, and
5 visits by IEA staff abroad. The department has collaborated with 23
institutes out of which several joint publications resulted.
2.5 Research Activity and Teaching Excellent (5)
The excellent record of IEA in transferring knowledge from research to
teaching is illustrated by the publication of two bestselling textbooks,
one on ‘Computer Systems for Automation and Control’, and another on
‘Wastewater Treatment Systems’, both from Prof. G. Olsson (now retired)
and co-authors. Besides these, IEA academics have produced 5 other
textbooks.
2.6 Evaluation of Future Plans Excellent (5)
The vision of the department is to be national leader –which it is alreadyin
its three areas of research: control and automation in wastewater
systems, electrical distribution systems, electric drive systems in hybrid
vehicles. This is a logical decision in view of the interest and prominence
of Swedish industry in these three future-oriented subjects.
429