Why does the Faculty want to reorganise the research infrastructure?
"A large number of the Faculty's research infrastructures have expressed that they want more dialogue with the Faculty management and increased opportunities for exchange between themselves. The infrastructures would also benefit from greater support for administrative tasks, such as communication, finance and reporting. From a management point of view, increased opportunities for coordination and a more comprehensive research infrastructure park provide economic advantages compared to the establishment of services or instruments in individual research groups or infrastructures: expensive infrastructure is used by many research groups up to their full capacity and double purchases of instruments are avoided.”
Tell us about the group´s work?
"During the passed year, we´ve had meetings with several of the Faculty's research infrastructures. We have also regularly discussed the work with representatives of the Faculty management, the Faculty's office and external actors. Based on the input we have received, we are now refining our proposals for models for a common organisation for the Faculty's research infrastructure.
The work of mapping the infrastructures' need for support is not new. Already in 2022, extensive work was carried out, including a survey to 40 different infrastructures, which resulted in a solid basis for the current situation at the Faculty.
At an earlier stage, we have mapped out the biggest challenges facing the infrastructures and what we can do in the future to meet the needs that exist and ensure that the Faculty can provide research infrastructure for excellent research and education.”
What are the needs?
"The Faculty needs an overall organisation for research infrastructure that meets the need for efficient, sustainable and future-oriented activities available to all our researchers on equal terms. Such a structure should provide support and facilitate for the constituent entities, while providing flexibility and development opportunities.”
Can you give examples of a typical challenge for a research infrastructure?
"One of the major challenges for research infrastructures is to constantly adapt their services to new needs and opportunities through new technology. Another challenge is human resources policy: infrastructures need to be an attractive place to work for qualified staff. Working conditions must increase their motivation, stimulate their integration at the Faculty and support the continuous development of technical and methodological skills of high-performing staff.”
At present, the Faculty lacks an established process for pooling resources and using some of them for an urgent investment in, for example, a new service or new equipment.
"By ensuring long-term staff availability within the organisation, cutting-edge equipment can be professionally maintained by staff at research infrastructures and thus have a longer lifespan and increased availability for use. The model for an overall organization will provide increased opportunities for the infrastructures' staff for career development, skills development and exchange of experience.”
Are there good examples around the world of how to do this?
"Yes, there are! There are successful examples such as Vienna Biocenter, Francis Crick and Medical University Graz. These operate successfully in Europe and apply continuous development work for their research infrastructure. One of the factors that is common to these is that they apply a model with both management and advisory group of users. Inspiration within the country has been taken from, among others, the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg and Chalmers University of Technology. At the international and national outlook, it became clear that a management level between the operational management of the research infrastructures and the Faculty management contributes positively to the efficiency of crucial processes.”
Does everyone need to join the new model?
"It's voluntary. Most infrastructures are happy and relieved that we are addressing the coordination and organisation.”
What will happen this autumn?
"We continue our work to discuss and anchor our thoughts and possible models with various key actors, including with the research infrastructures. No later than 30 September, we will deliver the documentation to the Faculty management, who in turn will take it on to the Faculty board. In August, we will have a hearing where everyone is warmly welcome to take part in our work, comment and discuss the material that will then be submitted to the Faculty management.