Evaluation Report Publications of the Academy of Finland 1/11

Recommendations
Based on the self-assessment alone, the panel cannot give precise recommendations on 
research strategies. Still, a number of key issues are recommended to be urgently 
addressed by the relevant parties:
1.  UEF should formulate and communicate a clear strategy concerning the future of 
chemistry at the Joensuu and Kuopio Campuses, taking into account current 
collaborations (within and between campuses) and potential research synergies 
from future closer collaborations (within and between campuses) as well as the 
needs for quality chemistry teaching in the undergraduate programmes in Joensuu 
and Kuopio, respectively, and the local chemical industry in the regions.  

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A transparent discussion leading to a well-communicated strategy will obviously 
be essential to ensure good and inspiring working conditions for the chemistry 
researchers in Kuopio. 
2.  Any small unit with extensive teaching obligations at a university with delocalised 
campuses is prone to become isolated from the international research community. 
Given the interesting and productive work in both NMR and synthetic 
biomolecular chemistry, the evaluation panel strongly recommends strengthening 
the networking efforts of the unit, with participation in the appropriate initiatives 
at national and European level. A more active staff mobility policy is also 
recommended, both concerning short-term stays abroad for the current 
researchers (including PhD students) and in future recruitments. 
3.  One of the professors is retiring in the near future. It is thus essential that the 
long-term strategic issues (item 1 above) be settled at university level as soon as 
possible. It should also be decided whether the successful activities relying on the 
advanced NMR facility in Kuopio should be continued at UEF, in which case 
recruitment of a new professor in an international call is recommended.