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Evaluation of individual research units - Norges forskningsråd

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 />

Follow up <strong>of</strong> previous evaluation<br />

The current structure <strong>of</strong> the department appears to have resulted from the previous<br />

evaluation. The establishment in 2007 <strong>of</strong> a new building for marine <strong>research</strong>, including<br />

aquaculture, similarly was a response to the previous evaluation. A replacement position<br />

in plant physiology and new positions in systems biology and plant molecular biology<br />

followed from questions raised in the 2000 evaluation about the future development <strong>of</strong><br />

experimental plant biology.<br />

<strong>Evaluation</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>individual</strong> <strong>research</strong> <strong>units</strong><br />

Centre <strong>of</strong> Conservation Biology<br />

Grading <strong>of</strong> scientific quality<br />

Excellent<br />

Description <strong>of</strong> unit<br />

The unit includes 14 scientists and secures approximately 30% <strong>of</strong> the department’s<br />

external funding. According to the self-assessment, the unit focuses on predicting the<br />

effects <strong>of</strong> anthropogenic environmental changes, including harvest, on population<br />

viability and on trends in population size and community composition. The group also<br />

seeks to identify factors that affect the rate <strong>of</strong> evolutionary responses to environmental<br />

change. The group has considerable quantitative expertise.<br />

General evaluation & recommendations<br />

In the self-assessment, population biology was regarded as the <strong>research</strong> strength <strong>of</strong> the<br />

unit, which we accept. We note without prejudice that population biology is a relatively<br />

small subset <strong>of</strong> conservation biology as currently understood; the unit might consider<br />

increasing its breadth over time.<br />

Societal impact<br />

The societal impact <strong>of</strong> the group seems to be moderate, and likely could be increased if<br />

staff wish to do so. The group appears to rely on NINA to translate its work into lesstechnical<br />

language and to interact directly with end-users that might be able to apply the<br />

information. If students and junior staff do not already have the opportunity to<br />

collaborate with NINA on such activities, they might be encouraged more strongly and<br />

rewarded for doing so.<br />

Behaviour, Evolution & Life History<br />

Grading <strong>of</strong> scientific quality<br />

Very Good<br />

Description <strong>of</strong> unit<br />

The unit contains five pr<strong>of</strong>essors and three senior <strong>research</strong>ers or postdoctoral fellows.<br />

The group is strongly male-biased and all but one <strong>of</strong> the members are older than 50.<br />

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