Evaluation Report Publications of the Academy of Finland 1/11

Research environment
The facilities available for synthesis and basic characterization are adequate, and the 
level of more advanced instrumental infrastructure is excellent. The unit expresses 
concerns about means for replacements of low- and medium-price instruments 
required in the near future. 
Research networking and interaction
At the national level, the unit participates in national graduate schools. National 
research collaborations have been established with various university units as well as 
with a number of companies and VTT. Also in-house collaborations are well-
established and productive, which enhances the output from the core themes of the 
unit. The in-house collaborations comprise research issues, shared instrumentation 
and administrative staff. The international collaborations, where the focus is on the 
EU and the US, are widespread and productive.
The unit has been represented in European and EU initiatives for chemical 
education, including participation in an Erasmus Mundus programme. 
Recommendations
The unit is well placed within historically strong Finnish research themes relating to 
wood components. Such activities are still important, as is the structure elucidation 
work. Still, the panel recommends that the scope be broadened, strengthening 
activities on more fundamental methods-oriented organic synthesis rather than 
moving towards chemical biology (a theme already well ahead and strong elsewhere).
The panel agrees with the unit’s self-assessment that the publication output needs 
to be improved. For enhanced international visibility and the long-term viability of 
the unit, it will be essential to ensure that all seniors actively engage in international 
research networking.
The well-developed custom of sharing and rotating administrative tasks among 
the more senior researchers seems to be a good solution to decrease individual 
administrative workload and is a model to be recommended for other units.