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

Part 2 – Conclusions of the review
be rationally addressed. Moreover, it is increasingly recognised that
the “creative industries” contribute far more to GNP than has been
hitherto supposed. It is for these reasons that national processes that
have the capacity to maintain the contributions of the humanities
and social sciences are given due consideration.
H4. Attracting the best international talent
115. We have been dismayed by the extent to which the processes
of appointment, promotion and funding militate against the
University’s capacity to recruit from the international pool of talent
and minimise the extent to which young post-doctoral researchers
in particular feel free to obtain vital, formative experience in the
international research community. This appears not to be a problem
exclusive to Lund University, but a feature of the Swedish University
system as a whole. As the international research community
becomes better networked, as it increasingly works together on
major international issues and programmes, and as the nascent
European Research Area takes shape, with its proper emphasis on
researcher mobility, national processes that inhibit mobility are
becoming a national disadvantage.
116. We have highlighted the processes that contribute to this state of
affairs in sections F1–F3 above. The key issues at a national level
are the make up of academic salaries and the legal framework for
promotion. We refer to the former again in G6 below. The legal
framework for promotion to professorial status is one that we
believe diminishes the competitive pressures that stimulate excellence.
We suggest that a national review of the consequences of the
relevant legislation would be very timely.
H5. The role of the first degree
and career structures
117. Although we have not seen data that would clarify this point,
our experience in Lund suggests that there are broad patterns of
expectation from those undertaking bachelor’s and doctor’s degrees
that may be worthy of further consideration. In many areas of
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