New Vice President for Research to focus on research matters broadly
As the new Vice President for Research, Eva Tiensuu Janson will coordinate, support and develop the University’s work with funding, interdisciplinary research, and research support – in close dialogue with both management and researchers. Photo: Mikael Wallerstedt, Uppsala University.
New Vice President for Research, Eva Tiensuu Janson, will be focusing on research matters at the University level, and on creating better conditions for collaboration and stronger applications for EU funding.
Eva Tiensuu Janson has been Vice President for Research for just under one month and so it might be high time to ask her a few questions about this assignment.
What will be your role as Vice President for Research?
“I’ll be working at the University level with research matters. It’s a broad assignment with a lot of questions about research funding but also research ethics and infrastructure.
“My role includes identifying and communicating information and working in close collaboration with the Division of Research and Partnership Support and the three disciplinary domains. It’s important to remember that I won’t be bypassing the Vice-Chancellor or the vice-rectors, but will bring up these matters with those who are affected by them. My role is to assist the Vice-Chancellor on matters related to research that concern the University as a whole.”
Can you give examples of some important questions that you will be working with?
“One important question is how we can build up a good support system for applications for EU funding. EU funding is going to become one indicator among many in the allocation of direct government funding for research. Another question is how to put together a good process for responding to research calls where a selection has to be made at the university level before the applications are submitted.
“Another question is how researchers can find each other and collaborate in an environment where there are growing expectations that the research will be interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary. Because the calls have been making it clearer that they would like to see interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary projects. But how do we get different publishing patterns and qualifications systems to mesh together? In some disciplines, publishing alone is seen as a plus, while in others it’s also important to be a co-author of studies. How do we get interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary collaborations to function in practice for researchers?”
You will also be part of the University Management Team, and you are co-opted to the University Management Council. How do you feel about that?
“A lot is happening all the time, especially since the last Research and Innovation Bill. Things are moving a bit faster and it’s difficult for the University Management to cover all bases. So I’m one more person who can catch balls that come flying and help make everything easier for both researchers and management.”
How will the staff notice that you have started your role as Vice President for Research?
“I hope people notice that there is someone who has a bit more time for research matters at the University-wide level.
“My way of approaching this role is to talk to people and have a dialogue. So people are very welcome to contact me about research matters.”
Anders Berndt