RESEARCH STRATEGY OF REYKJAVIK UNIVERSITY

A. Premises

1. A university will not thrive without powerful research firmly rooted in the international research community

2. Research revolves around the creation and dissemination of knowledge. The quality of the research work is best ensured via peer-review in academic forums. Evaluation of quality must include assessment of the impact of the research work.

3. Research is a creative and pioneering endeavour, controlled by the personal drive and ambition of each researcher.

B. Basic Strategy

1. The goal of Reykjavik University is to develop powerful research which will strengthen the University's international reputation, infuse its teaching with new ideas, and provide both industry and the community with new knowledge.

2. The researchers of Reykjavik University must be active participants in the international research community, and research at the University must meet the demanding requirements of the international research community. An important indicator of research success is the publishing of results in established peer-reviewed outlets and all researchers of Reykjavik University should strive to achieve international recognition for their work.  In research fields which are particularly domestic in nature, publications in peer-reviewed domestic outlets may well provide evidence of international excellence if they can be compared favourably with similar studies in other countries. Another key measure of research success is impact.

3. Reykjavik University is a place of academic freedom. This means that the University's researchers have independence in their choice of research topics and in their interpretation and publication of research results. Furthermore, they have the right to be critical in their opinions. For further information on academic freedom, refer to the statement of all university Rectors in Iceland signed in Reykjavik on 15 June 2005.
   

C. Research and Management

1. Research topics at Reykjavik University are determined, for the most part, by the research interests of faculty and research staff, who have academic freedom as stated above.

2. All processes and reference points related to hiring, promotion, allocation of research funds from the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture, and other elements which support research, must be clear. Processes, rules and guidelines at Reykjavik University must set ambitious standards for hiring and promotions into the positions of assistant professor, associate professor, and professor. In evaluating competence and in making promotion decisions, research activity and its merit and impact should in general be heavily weighted factors and should always be compared to the requirements of the international research community.

3. Promotions and salaries are important to motivate faculty and research staff at Reykjavik University to exert their best effort as well as to ensure that they are compensated in accordance with their achievements. In connection with this, the University's guiding principle must be evaluation by the international research community of the merit and impact of each researcher's work.

4. An annual evaluation of research activities at the School level shall be conducted by international specialists. Results of the evaluation shall be the basis for the allocation of research funds from the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture. Every five years, outside parties, usually from abroad, shall be called upon to assess the status of each School in the international research community and to compare each School to similar units at other established universities.

5. A Research Council, composed of one representative from each School, in addition to a Chairman appointed by the Provost of the University in consultation with the Rector and Deans, shall operate at Reykjavik University. The responsibility of the Council is to help build and maintain a strong research-oriented culture at the University through motivation and support, design of processes and the pursuit of funding opportunities.  The Research Council will formulate the University's research strategy and provide advice to the Rector, Provost and Deans for implementing the strategy. Further, the Council will provide the Rector and Provost with advice in research matters which do not pertain to individual Schools. School proposals on the composition of review committees for academic hiring and promotions shall be sent to the Research Council for comment.

D. University Policies and Procedures Relevant to Research

1. To strengthen research at Reykjavik University, the number of outstanding researchers must be increased. The aim should be for every School to have its assistant professor, associate professor, and professor positions populated by researchers who have excelled internationally. Outstanding researchers and academics shall be hired for all academic positions. A doctoral degree shall, in general, be a requirement for positions of assistant professor, associate professor, and professor.

2. The most qualified individual available shall be hired for each vacant position. To contribute to that aim, qualification requirements must be defined for all positions before candidates are called upon to apply. Requirements shall not be so narrowly defined that they limit possibilities for qualified individuals to apply for the respective position. Next, a selection committee shall be appointed, the role of which is to rank candidates according to the qualification requirements defined for the position and submit these rankings to the Dean or relevant senior staff member. As a general rule, vacant positions shall be advertised internationally and with enough notice so that qualified individuals are not excluded from applying.

E.  Research Activity – Development and Quality Assurance

1. Clear rules should be established for the most important factors and processes which support research work within Reykjavik University. Schools shall however have certain freedom within that framework to develop emphases in accordance with the traditions of their fields of study. The rules shall be developed in cooperation with Schools, the Research Council, and other interested parties. The rules shall, among others, apply to hiring, promotions, and reception of grants from private parties. All rules on operations related to research shall be accessible on the external Web site of the university, including all special School rules.

2. Reykjavik University shall establish doctoral programs to enhance its graduate student population, and postdoctoral fellows shall be hired to work in all fields where the university has outstanding researchers and a strong research environment.

3. External financing of research at Reykjavik University shall be strengthened by significantly increasing efforts to obtain research support from domestic and foreign sources. It is important that the University operate efficient Research Services to monitor opportunities for obtaining external research funds and to provide assistance in applying for these funds, developing budgets, and lending other administrative support.

4. A key potential source of external funding for research at Reykjavik University is the business community. It is important to demonstrate to the Icelandic business community the benefits of providing substantial support for research.

5. Reykjavik University shall strive to increase significantly the number of articles published in its name in established peer-reviewed forums and to broaden the participation of the University's faculty and research staff in international collaborations (research projects, conventions, networks, etc.). 

6. Measurable goals are critical for monitoring the outcome of the research work.  It is important to collect quantitative information on all research activity at Reykjavik University so as to present these results to the research community, politicians, the media and the public.