Research that makes an impact
In its activities, the University of Tampere focuses on research-based education and on the creation of new knowledge based on freedom in research. The scientific and societal impact of the university depends on a successful combination of these two.
In its research, the university addresses the central issues in contemporary society. Research on society and health are its current areas of strength. New knowledge is created only by promoting bold and multidisciplinary approaches to research in all fields.
The objective of the University of Tampere is to be a world-class university in its areas of strength and a nationally significant university in all the other fields. The quality of the research will be further improved by investing in promising research and internationalization efforts. As a consequence, the university will launch a comprehensive internationalization programme covering both research and education.
Immediate measures to strengthen research in 2010-2012
- The university will strengthen its potential for top-quality, long-term research by creating larger units to take care of its basic activities and by improving research leadership. The structural reforms will serve to remove administrative barriers and to promote multidisciplinarity.
- The content, organization and funding of doctoral education will be renewed at the University of Tampere. The university will establish a doctoral school which will be divided into several doctoral programmes. This school will form a part in the national doctoral training offered by Finnish universities and by the Academy of Finland. Students will be recruited to the doctoral school on the basis of submitting competitive applications and they will be ensured good supervision and adequate funding. The aim is to expedite studies and to improve degree quality.
- High-quality research will be promoted through granting additional funding and through prioritizing it in internal resource allocation. Promising research units will be allocated funding to help them become world-class units. The allocation of resources will also be based on regular research evaluations.
- The Institute for Social Research will become the Tampere Institute for Advanced Social Studies covering the whole university. The Institute will also serve as an international and multidisciplinary centre for social research.
- In the recruitment of professors and other academic staff, emphasis will be placed on innovativeness, scientific impact and international record. Researcher mobility will receive additional funding. The careers of successful researchers will be advanced through career path and tenure track models, sabbaticals and research-time allocations.
The University will extend its international research co-operation especially in the European Research Area, and is prepared to expand its research co-operation with countries outside Europe. The University will conclude research cooperation agreements with other universities, research institutes, enterprises and organizations. Research in the biosciences, information sciences and economic and administrative sciences will be integrated with the corresponding fields at the Tampere University of Technology. In addition, research co-operation on joint projects will be intensified with the two partner universities in the University Alliance, Finland (Tampere University of Technology and the University of Jyväskylä). In addition, provisions will be made for research infrastructure costs as part of the national infrastructure programme.
Three multidisciplinary research development programmes will be launched during 2010 – 2012
- Human – technology interaction
- Publicly funded services and the interface between the public and private sectors
- Change in culture, knowledge and society.
The University of Tampere will strengthen its role and image as a research university and offer attractive opportunities for study and research. It will actively disseminate and publicize research results and participate in current scientific debates.
The implementation of the university’s research strategy will be overseen and monitored by the University Research Council appointed by the Rector.
