Expert panel

To ensure the objectivity and quality of the evaluation, DTU will invite a panel consisting of external experts to evaluate the research, researcher education and research infrastructure of each department.

The panel will consist of 4–6 internationally recognized and active researchers, mostly at professor level. Experts from non-academic organisations such as companies and research institutes may be included to the extent that it is scientifically relevant and they have the necessary research credentials. DTU will ask one of the experts to chair the panel.

The panel is asked to evaluate the research, researcher education and research infrastructure and make recommendations based on findings in light of the department’s own strategic goals and based on the criteria; research quality, sociatal relevance and viability.

The panel will do so based on the self-evaluation report, the site visit and their knowledge of the field, trends and international institutions similar to DTU.

Nomination of panel members

The department nominates candidates for the expert panel.

The department can nominate 4-6 panel members based on the size of the department:

• 1-200 members of staff = 4 panel members
• 200-300 members of staff = 4-5 panel members
• 300+ members of staff = 4-6 panel members

The department should consider the following when nominating panel members:

• URIS guidelines should be considered before nominating panel members
• Must be recognized top researchers at least at professor level and can be research leaders or in university management positions.
• Should supplement each other in term of fields of study
• Should be diverse, i.e. numerous nationalities, men and women alike (nominate 50 % women)
• Should preferably be international researchers, i.e. work outside Denmark
• Should be able to act as independent objective agents i.e. should not have any active or planned collaboration with the department
• Can have been a part of a previous research evaluation at DTU

The department must describe any research collaboration and joint projects and publications for each nominated candidate. When nominating panel members, please use Annex 1.

Aside from the self-declaration of any past collaborations the suggested panel members will be subjected to a co-publication analysis which will uncover any overlooked collaborations. On this basis, the Provost of DTU may disqualify a candidate, if the relationship between the candidate and the department might create uncertainty about the independence of the evaluation[1].

The department can ask the panel members to sign a declaration of confidentiality.

Nomination of chair

Once the panel is set, the department nominates a first and second priority for chair of the panel. The chair should be nominated based on leadership skills rather than academic prominence.

The chair is responsible for collecting and assembling the final report and ensure that the panel spends its time effectively during the site visit.

Communication with panel

To ensure the objectivity of the evaluation, direct communication between panel members and department staff before or after the site visit is advised against.

All communication with the panel and its members, before and after the site visit, will be handled by the central coordinator appointed by the Provost.

Interaction between the department subject to evaluation and the panel is limited to the duration of the site visit. If either party wishes to communicate with the other, the contact must be facilitated by the central coordinator.