At the Department, the development of visions and strategies in each Research Unit has begun. The results must be submitted by March 1, 2020.

Background

The background for this work is a request from the Department Management for all Research Units to develop such visions and strategies in order to create direction and stability for the work of the units.

Furthermore, the visions and strategies will provide the Department Management with relevant insight into the research work as well as a solid basis for supporting this work.

The research forms part of an overall research strategy for the Department where we research the health challenges facing society in order to promote health and to prevent, treat and alleviate disease.

Definition of a Research Unit

• A Research Unit constitutes a number of colleagues who share research interests according to subject fields or from methodological points of view
• Colleagues within a Research Unit are expected to collaborate
• Large enough to be sustainable
• Provide a stable scientific environment for senior and younger colleagues
• A Research Unit may include several research groups, research programmes, centres, specific projects, etc.
• Meaningful collaboration between Units

The task at hand

As the Research Units have various and different traditions and experiences in developing visions and strategies, a broad framework for this work is acceptable. The Research Units may wish to consider the following:

Vision:

Description of the Research Unit, its motivation, purpose and coherence.

• Who are we?
• What are we here for?
• Why are we together?
• What do we want?
• What is it we can do?

Strategy:

• What is it we want?
• Work areas and projects in a timeframe
• Financial requirements, opportunities and plans
• Success criteria in the form of follow-up milestones
• Supporting research environment and talent development through own activities as well as activities across research units and sections.

The feedback from the October 2, 2019, kick-off meeting should also be taken into consideration.