Systematic Quality Assurance in Research at the Faculty of Social Sciences

The system serves as a framework to support researchers and ensure that their work contributes to scientific and societal development in a sustainable way. This policy describes the faculty's system for quality assurance in research, aligned with the university's Policy for Quality Assurance and Enhancement of Research at Umeå University (FS 1.1-1121-23). The goal of the quality assurance system is to create a research environment where high standards and ethical principles permeate all work. By promoting mutual learning, transparency, and a bottom-up approach that considers the needs of researchers, the policy aims to support both individual researchers and the overall research activities.

Components of the Quality Assurance System

The faculty's quality assurance system is designed to support a vibrant research culture, effective documentation, and the recruitment of top researchers.

Research Culture
The quality assurance system of the faculty is based on several fundamental components that are essential for ensuring and developing research quality. One of the most important factors is the creation of a research culture that promotes creativity and innovation. For research to reach the highest possible quality, it is crucial that researchers have the right skills and tools to create dynamic and successful research environments. This means that both the methodological rigor of the research and its relevance to societal development must be central aspects of daily work. The faculty also strives to maintain a high ethical standard in all research, which includes integrity, transparency, and accountability.

Research Forums and Networks
To ensure a strong research culture, various forums and networks are essential. These meeting places enable the exchange of knowledge and collaboration across departmental and disciplinary boundaries. By creating an open dialogue, researchers and administrative staff can work together to identify research needs and develop solutions that benefit the entire research community. A key aspect of this work is promoting a bottom-up approach where the voices and needs of researchers are at the center. Regular meetings in research forums and networks are used as platforms to discuss current issues such as research funding, ethical challenges, and development. This creates a transparent and inclusive process where researchers' needs and suggestions are quickly translated into strategic decisions.

Documentation and Dissemination

The documentation and dissemination of research results are also important parts of the quality assurance work. The faculty strives to ensure that all research conducted within the faculty is published with high transparency and encourages researchers to apply the principle of open access to maximize the impact and accessibility of research. By documenting research carefully and disseminating it both internally and externally, the faculty can ensure that knowledge becomes accessible, transparent, and has a lasting impact. This work also supports the development of policies and decision-making processes based on current research results and experiences.

Support for Recruitment and Funding

Another key component of the quality assurance system is the support for staff recruitment and research funding application processes. The faculty actively works to attract and retain prominent researchers and ensures that researchers receive the resources they need to conduct high-quality research. By offering administrative support and reducing the administrative burden, researchers can focus on their work and thus contribute to the dynamism and productivity of the research environment.

Governance and Strategic Forums

Faculty Board
This is the central decision-making body responsible for research and doctoral education, as well as for quality assurance and strategic research development. The board works closely with several advisory bodies and networks that provide support in decision-making and promote broad discussions on research quality.

Research Committee
This is an advisory group composed of senior researchers and doctoral student representatives, led by the vice dean or pro dean responsible for research and doctoral education.

Network of Research Managers
This is a forum that meets twice per semester and consists of representatives from the faculty's departments to discuss research management and quality assurance issues.

Network of Directors of Study for Doctoral Education
This forum also meets twice per semester to address quality and process improvements in doctoral education.

Future Faculty
Is a forum aimed at early-career academics in collaboration with the Faculty of Arts and Humanities to support career development and research initiatives.

Resource Allocation for Research Quality

The faculty applies a performance-based model for the distribution of research funds, which is a central part of the quality assurance system. The model is based on three fundamental performance metrics: the number of dissertations and licentiate degrees, the amount of external research funding obtained, and the number of publications in reputable journals and publishers. One-quarter of the faculty's research funds are distributed based on these criteria, which provides incentives for departments to perform well in these areas.

In addition to this performance-based distribution of research funds, the faculty board makes annual decisions on strategic investments within the faculty's budget. These investments can include co-funding of research infrastructures, investments in research programs, or specific projects important for the faculty's long-term development.

Strategic Priorities

The faculty's strategic priorities are formulated in the three-year operational plan and in annual activity plans. For 2024, the strategic priorities include increased participation in EU research funding, organizing seminars on ethics and artificial intelligence, and deepening cooperation with the University of Birmingham through a recently established exchange agreement. The faculty also works closely with the university’s Office for Research Support to assist researchers in applying for national and international research grants.

The faculty’s strategic priorities are regularly reviewed and adjusted based on national and international trends in research. The faculty follows up on these priorities through systematic evaluation, where research results, external funding, and research impact are analyzed.

Follow-up, Analysis, and Evaluation
The quality of research and doctoral education is monitored and evaluated regularly to ensure that the high standards are maintained. The evaluation processes include annual reviews of the external research funding received by the faculty, as well as the number of publications and dissertations completed. The faculty also compiles research quality reports as part of the university's overall quality assurance system for research.

An important component is the annual dialogue meetings that the faculty leadership conducts with the management teams from each department and unit within the faculty. Here, the departments have the opportunity to raise issues and actions important for their subject areas, as well as engage in in-depth discussions on strategic issues.

The results from these evaluations and dialogues are used to guide strategic decisions and resource allocation, ensuring that research quality is continuously developed and improved. Furthermore, the results from these evaluations and dialogues are used to identify strengths and development areas within research. The faculty implements specific actions based on these results and follows them up through regular follow-up meetings, ensuring a cyclical process of continuous improvements.