Research assessments

The quality and merits of research activities are assessed through peer review using criteria relevant to the field in question.

At the university level, peer review is carried out through regular research assessments, during which an international panel assesses the research quality at the school, department. At the school level, development is monitored by a Scientific Advisory Board or Scientific and Artistic Advisory Board (S(A)AB), comprised of international experts in fields relevant to the school. Every 3 years, the S(A)ABs review and support the research and artistic activities and plans of the school and provide recommendations for further development. An alternative to a S(A)AB is a university-level Research, Art and Impact Assessment RAI conducted every 7-8 years, where the international standing of our activities is analysed based on our results.

At the individual level, research personnel have annual objective discussions to gain feedback and ensure the progress of research. When advancing in their career, researchers undergo a peer review. Further information of evaluation processes and criteria for academic positions, see the relevant policy site (for professors Tenure track evaluation criteria.; for lecturers , and for other academic positions).

Individuals and teams also receive peer feedback on their funding applications from the funding organisation, and on their submitted articles and conference papers in the editorial process.

Current developments in research assessment nationally and internationally

Aalto University is formally committed to the following recommendations:

• European collaboration in reforming research evaluation and researcher evaluation: Towards a reform of the research assessment system (European Commission). The recommendation was published in 2022
• DORA (2013) declaration on research assessment
• Recommendation for the responsible evaluation of a researcher in Finland (2020) which gives guidance in researcher evaluation, and its implementation, ethical conduct and transparency.
• Finnish National Board on Research Integrity TENK guidelines, especially the guidelines on research integrity (2023), the recommendation on the Curriculum Vitae (2020) and the recommendation on agreeing on authorship in research publications (2018).

Other guidelines on the use of assessments and metrics, serving as a source of inspiration for the university, include but are not limited to:

• The Leiden Manifesto (2015)
• User guide for the Publication Forum classification (2019)
• The SCOPE framework for research evaluation (2020)
• Finn-ARMA's National guide to publication metrics (2022)