Research Evaluation Report : Finnish National Defence University, 2020–2021

Abstract

This report presents an external evaluation of research at the Finnish National Defence University (FNDU). The Report is based on self-evaluations completed in 2020 and interviews completed in January 2021. All work was conducted online. A site visit was not possible due to pandemic travel restrictions. The report is focused on what research is needed to meet the mandate of the institution. FNDU has three missions: Research, teaching, and public engagement. The evaluation does not compare research fields or researchers with each other nor rank them in order of quality.

The central theme of this evaluation is the transition from disciplinary research fields to interdisciplinary research themes, which will focus on just two areas in the next five years —future war and Russia. Two cultural changes are implied by the report. The first is a call to action in the face of serious challenges to national defence capabilities occasioned by changes in the character of war. The second cultural change is required within the FNDU in order to combine the specializations of existing research fields. The three future research themes (FRTs) are intended to be established simultaneously and to be mutually supportive. However, this will challenge the existing distribution of resources. The Evaluation Panel does not recommend reorganization, but does suggest some changes in practice within FNDU, and making some changes to FNDU’s relationships with outside contributors/funders to improve communications and coordination.