At Stockholm University, the deans work together on various issues. We also collaborate with deans from comparable faculties in national and international networks. The deans meet regularly to discuss new trends, make contacts, share experiences, and more.
Acquisition of skills is often discussed at such meetings. The assessment of research and teaching expertise as well as other relevant skills varies to some extent over time. New ways of assessing what are considered sought-after qualifications may develop within academia or come from sources such as the Government and funding bodies. Friction sometimes arises in the tenure track system. As the role of the researcher develops, things that previously had little significance in the assessment of qualifications become difficult to evaluate, such as collaboration with the wider community. Collaboration is undoubtedly important, but at the same time we have difficulty finding good assessment criteria in our qualification assessment processes. Interdisciplinary activities are also often emphasised as important by higher education institutions and funding bodies, although they are usually not valued as highly in connection with traditional evaluations.
In appointment and promotion processes, experts from other higher education institutions are utilised – nationally or internationally. It is therefore important that qualification issues are discussed at that level. It is also important that Stockholm University and its two academic areas continuously review the processes for assessment of qualifications and evaluation of work efforts to further strengthen recruitment and promotion efforts. The Board of Human Science and the Board of Science have decided on strategic plans for the years 2023–2026. The academic areas and their faculties will work together on issues related to teacher recruitment and promotion. In this way, we can work to ensure that the qualification assessment processes at Stockholm University continue to develop in a transparent and legally compliant manner and in step with the times.
This is a text written by the Deputy Vice Presidents and deans Henrik Cederquist, Jessika van der Sluijs, Yvonne Svanström and Elisabeth Wåghäll Nivre. It appears in the section ”Words from the University’s senior management team”, where members take turns to write about topical issues. The section appears in every edition of News for staff which is distributed to the entirety of the University staff.