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

Panel 1 – law
professor is 50 % engaged in the administration of the Faculty’s Vietnam
project. Considering the meagre number of senior researchers, the group
(under the leadership of the now-retired professor) has managed to create
an international atmosphere with wide contacts and networks. This is an
important part of a functioning research infrastructure.
The situation is nevertheless far from satisfactory, considering the fact
that the small group of teachers is responsible for all levels of teaching.
The training and supervision of potential doctoral students is particularly
endangered, given the fact that a full professorship is lacking and that the
discipline has only 1½ senior teachers at its disposal. The lack of senior
posts is not likely to attract new students; thus, in a few years we may be
witnessing a vicious circle of diminishing activity. The Faculty’s strategy
vis-à-vis the discipline of legal history needs to be clarified.
3. Research Quality
3.1. Faculty
According to the Terms of Reference for the evaluation, good means
that the research attracts “mainly national attention but [possesses also]
international potential.” The next grade upwards on the scale is very good,
which refers to research of “such high quality that it attracts wide national
and international attention.” During the period under consideration,
the research at the Lund Faculty has clearly reached at least the level of
good. Considering the performance of certain units, the average grade of
very good is justified. It should noted that the Panel that, in spite of the
performance of individual researchers, certain units have not risen above
the grade good, at least partly due to of their poor resourcing. In order to
receive one of the highest grades, a unit should at least have a permanent
professorial chair.
3.2. Public Law
There is quite a remarkable difference in the level of ambition and
strategy between the general description of the research environment
and activities in Public Law, and the accomplishments of individual
researchers. While a number of researchers have carried out important
scientific work and attained a high profile within their respective areas
of law, Public Law as such seems to be lacking a comprehensive research
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