KI Research Assessment (KIRA) 2025-26

KIRA 2025 – Purpose, Scope and Implementation

The focus of KIRA 2025 is on the processes and conditions that enable high-quality research, with the aim of strengthening research environments and supporting the university’s long-term development. KIRA 2025 has a forward-looking perspective. Although departments are the primary units of evaluation, the review encompasses the entire university and is guided by the overarching question:

How can KI, as a university, further strengthen the conditions and processes that promote high-quality research?

KIRA 2025 will be conducted in two rounds. The first round (2025–2026) includes two of KI’s three departmental groups, covering 13 of the 21 departments. The second round (2026–2027) includes the remaining eight departments. Overall responsibility for the implementation of KIRA 2025 lies with the Vice-President.

KIRA 2025 in Five Steps

The KIRA 2025 process consists of five steps:

1. Departmental self-evaluations
   All departments within a campus area conduct their self-evaluations simultaneously. Self-evaluations and action plans are compiled during autumn 2025 and submitted in January 2026.
2. Campus seminar
   The results of the self-evaluations are discussed collegially within the campus, with a focus on challenges, good practices and lessons learned. Departments also present a draft short action plan (maximum two pages) based on their self-evaluation. Participants in the campus seminar include, among others, deans, heads of departments and individuals responsible for the self-evaluation process. The seminar aims to be as inclusive as possible. After the seminar, departments have the opportunity to revise their action plans. The seminar will be held in the second half of November 2025, in parallel with the departments’ ongoing work on the documentation.
3. External panel review
   Self-evaluations and action plans are submitted to an external expert panel with extensive experience in academic leadership. In connection with a site visit, the panel engages in dialogue with the departments regarding their assessments and proposed measures. The expert panel’s site visit will take place on 10–11 March 2026.
4. Finalisation of action plans
   Based on feedback from the campus seminar and the external panel, departments finalise their action plans. These are followed up annually within the framework of the President’s Quality Seminar. Departments must formally adopt their action plans within two months of the site visit, i.e. by mid-May.
5. Vice-President’s KIRA quality seminar
   Experiences and lessons learned from the process are shared. Departmental representatives report on the progress of their action plans. The seminar also highlights key university-wide measures. Participants include the Vice-President, the Vice-President for Research, deans, heads of departments and other relevant stakeholders. The first seminar will be held on 17 June, 9:00–12:00.

Self-Evaluation and Action Plan

The departments’ self-evaluations constitute the main foundation for the development work within KIRA 2025. To support the process, KI’s central administration provides a template for the self-evaluation. The self-evaluations enable departments to broadly engage staff in identifying and articulating strengths and challenges, as well as opportunities and priorities.

The self-evaluation document should be concise and not exceed 20 pages.
The purpose is not only to highlight key areas for development—at both departmental and university level—but also to stimulate planning and discussion on how these can be addressed.

Each department must also produce a short action plan (maximum two pages), to be submitted together with the self-evaluation. The action plans should:

• Propose concrete measures to address key challenges and leverage identified opportunities.
• Be owned by the department, ensuring commitment and accountability.
• Where relevant, describe measures that require support from KI beyond the department itself.

The External Panel – Roles and Responsibilities

Composition

The external panel consists of experts with international experience in developing and leading high-quality research environments.

• Professor Sarah Teichmann (Chair), Cambridge University
• Professor Thomas P. Sakmar (Vice Chair), Rockefeller University
• Professor Hans Clevers, Utrecht University
• Professor Susan Gasser, Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research (ISREC)
• Professor Eric S. Lander, The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard
• Professor David Paterson, Oxford University
• Professor Jolie Roos-Hesselink, Erasmus MC Rotterdam
• Professor Bente Merete Stallknecht, University of Copenhagen

Purpose and Role

The panel provides constructive and forward-looking feedback aimed at strengthening research quality at both departmental and university levels.

Panel Report

The panel’s conclusions are documented in a written report: approximately one page per department, as well as an overall summary of 2–4 pages addressed to KI’s senior management.