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Evaluation of individual research units - Norges forskningsråd

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<strong>Evaluation</strong> <strong>of</strong> biology, medicine and health <strong>research</strong> in Norway (2011)<br />

unit to do focused <strong>research</strong>. The previous evaluation recommended an increase in<br />

international collaborations, and this has occurred to some extent, but it may be possible<br />

to explore more creative links, as discussed below.<br />

General evaluation & recommendations<br />

We were impressed with the breadth <strong>of</strong> the <strong>research</strong> conducted by this unit. The group is<br />

actively engaged in a number <strong>of</strong> important <strong>research</strong> areas, and members are publishing at<br />

a high rate. The unit is well placed to become a world leader in animal behavior and the<br />

application <strong>of</strong> science to animal welfare, which is <strong>of</strong> increasing interest to a number <strong>of</strong><br />

governmental, private, and academic institutions.<br />

Current publications are mainly in just a few journals, particularly Applied Animal<br />

Behaviour Research, which do not have high impact factors. The group has worked well<br />

to increase its productivity in refereed journals and to develop collaborations since the<br />

last assessment. However, publication impact could be improved. We encourage the<br />

group to consider the transferability <strong>of</strong> its inferences to other disciplines.<br />

Although the self-assessment expressed some interest in trying to publish a greater<br />

quantity <strong>of</strong> basic <strong>research</strong>, and in submitting publication to a wider variety <strong>of</strong> journals, we<br />

felt it might be equally (or more) effective to increase the pr<strong>of</strong>ile <strong>of</strong> ongoing work. For<br />

example, partnerships with corporations or other entities with interests in animal welfare<br />

could help support the activities <strong>of</strong> the university and also increase its ability to inform<br />

decisions. Such collaborative <strong>research</strong> might be appropriate for submission to higher<br />

impact journals.<br />

It might be possible to obtain core or project-specific funding from food (e.g. large<br />

supermarket chains) and catering (e.g. international fast food outlets) industries for<br />

<strong>research</strong> on animal welfare. Research linked to national and international (European<br />

Union) legislation on animal welfare informs decisions to adjust stocking density and<br />

requirements for housing animals. Although the current senior scientists have started to<br />

develop this enterprise, continuity might be increased by appointing replacements before<br />

those <strong>individual</strong>s retire. Hosting visits from animal welfare scientists from other<br />

countries who have been successful in raising funds and producing high impact <strong>research</strong><br />

might assist recruitment.<br />

There may be potential to expand <strong>research</strong> on aquaculture. Many groups are interested in<br />

treatment <strong>of</strong> farmed fish, and the university has an opportunity to seek funding for study<br />

<strong>of</strong> welfare <strong>of</strong> such animals. There seem to be opportunities for cooperation between the<br />

various marine institutes and this university.<br />

Societal impact<br />

Research on animal welfare has extremely high societal impact. A first rate <strong>research</strong><br />

group, supported by outreach and media coverage, has real potential to become selfsufficient.<br />

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