International evaluation of research at STUK

The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health invited a panel of mainly international experts to evaluate the research carried out by the Finnish Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK). STUK was evaluated on the basis of its publications, webpages and interviews of researchers and management. This was the third international evaluation of research at STUK. The earlier evaluations were carried out in 2001 and 2005.

According to the expert group the research at STUK is of very high quality. Its employees are not only highly educated but also enthusiastic and committed to their work. STUK has also an excellent working environment and its research laboratories are in top shape.

The experts felt it important to assess the whole extent of STUK activities as well as its internal overall plan, although at first the purpose was to examine research only.

Decreasing research resources both nationally and internationally pose a challenge not only for STUK but also for other actors studying radiation safety. Research is an important part of the activities at STUK. Therefore, the quality of research should be a key indicator for the evaluation of the activities at the STUK laboratories and departments. The experts gave also a number of recommendations so that research at STUK can be of high quality even in future.