Evaluation Report Publications of the Academy of Finland 1/11

Research networking and interactions
Although differing somewhat, the laboratories have quite good international contacts, 
and, in particular for the membrane technology and chemometrics, contacts with a 
number of relevant European centres have been established. While some incoming 
international visits are noted, this opportunity appears underutilised.
Little or no interactions with research groups working on related topics at other 
Finnish universities are documented.
Recommendations
Overall, the panel feels that there are too many units of subcritical size at the LUT 
Department of Chemical Technology. In addition, despite their small size, these 
various units seem to cover several different research fields. The panel is of the 
opinion that the potential of the units could be better utilised if the different 
laboratories were to be merged and if a clear strategy for the development of the 
Department as a whole, building on available competence and expertise, were to be 
developed.
In general, the units appear to be isolated from related scientific activities in 
Finland, and they should seek to strengthen collaborations with other relevant 
Finnish chemistry units, in particular with respect to the activity at ÅA.
The Department also needs to develop a clear strategy for increasing international 
collaborations. This should applied both to sending staff abroad and to an active 
programme for inviting leading scientists within relevant fields to the Department, 
with the purpose of initiating strategic alliances and collaborative projects.