Background: LU’s establishment in Science Village
At the end of last year, the boards of the Faculty of Engineering and Faculty of Science decided not to proceed with Scenario 5, which would entail the co-location of the Department of Physics and Department of Chemistry in Science Village. The reasons put forward related to the cost and the challenge of conducting education at two different sites.
The project group was given a new assignment instead: to investigate which additional establishments, beside NanoLab Science Village, were required for the University to reach a critical mass in the area and benefit from the international research facilities MAX IV and ESS. The assignment also included examining the conditions for, and viability of, a joint organisational development of the Department of Physics and Department of Chemistry.
“Based on the new focus, the University’s Light and materials profile area created a vision of a visible and unified environment for materials science in photon and laser research – semiconductor materials, quantum technology, nanomaterials and light-active materials,” says Knut Deppert, professor of solid state physics and the project manager for Stage 2.
Report on Stage 2
“We estimated which research teams could be in the area in 10 to 30 years’ time and processed the proposal in the project group in order to get a picture of the scope: the number of people, laboratories and other necessary installations. With the help of architects, an initial drawing was produced for a building next to NanoLab Science Village,” says Knut Deppert.
All this resulted in a report that was sent out on a consultation round to the affected organisational units on 19 September. The report was presented at an information meeting held at the Department of Physics on September 23. This meeting was open to all and it was also possible to participate online. The level of participation showed that the establishment issue still strongly engages people. There was a lively discussion and the questions mainly concerned a possible division of the department, conversion of premises at Fysicum, the future of those researchers not involved in the Science Village establishment and, naturally, the costs of a potential establishment.
“Establishing a research field at a new site is a very complex issue. It concerns everything from which research teams it involves and should be established in the area to define a critical mass, to estimates of the building’s size as well as rent levels and costs, even though these calculations are very approximate. There are still a lot of factors missing because we don’t know for certain what costs an establishment of Light and materials would entail. The draft consultation paper has been sent to those concerned, but anyone who would like to read it and submit comments is welcome to get in touch with me,” says Knut Deppert.
Comments on the report can be submitted until 27 October. A final report will then be compiled, which will be processed by the boards of the Faculty of Engineering and Faculty of Science on 16 and 17 December respectively, when decisions are expected on the next stage of the process.
“The most important lesson from previous investigations relating to Science Village is probably that such a complex process needs to be organised and managed in the right way and with the right resources. And there must be a clear division of responsibilities. In addition, decision-makers must get to grips with the issue and request the right material for making a well-founded decision. Another important aspect is that if an establishment is to be carried out in stages, these must be synchronised,” says Knut Deppert.
Read more:
Update from the project group for the Science Village establishment – Stage 2
Board decision on the next stage of the University’s establishment in Science Village