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

Panel 17 – LTH | Building
Industrial Design is a new area where no PhDs were completed before the
period evaluated.
The research has an interdisciplinary character focused on the design of
products, environments and technology systems as well as on the interactions
between people and environment. This is a rather unique unit in a
faculty of engineering. The department is also characterized by extensive
collaboration both within LU and with external partners.
The total number of staff has increased from 52 to 70 and the total
number of academic staff from 14 to 21 between the years 2003 and
2007. There were six professors in 2007. The total number of registered
doctoral students was 30, ten of whom worked full time. The international
recruitments have remained quite low. However, there have been a
total of 4 visiting postdocs or professors during the evaluation period.
The total revenue has increased from 48.3 to 61.3 MSEK and total
research funding from 33.0 to 40.3 MSEK between the years 2003 and
2007. Grants for research have grown from 16.8 to 20.4 MSEK during
the same period of time. However, the percentage of research grants has
slightly decreased as a share of total revenue, from 34.8% in 2003 to
33.3% in 2007. However, EU funding has increased significantly from
0.9 (2003) to 3.5 MSEK (2007).
5.2 Research infrastructure
The department has modern spaces in Ingvar Kamprad Design centre
(IKDC). These include several well-equipped laboratories, among which
the Aerosol and Thermal Environment Laboratories are internationally
famous. In addition, the laboratories of other LU departments have been
widely utilized.
5.3 Research Quality
International comparability and innovative power: The department
focuses on the interaction between humans, technology and design.
This provides a good basis for highly innovative research. The Division
of Ergonomics and Aerosol Technology has gained good international
reputation. To a great extent, this has been achieved by extensive collaboration
(discussed below). Their research has been regularly published
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