The assessment broadly examines the scientific quality and societal impact of the University's research, as well as the University's research environment.
has been completed, bringing together the findings and recommendations of the international assessment panel and covering the University as a whole and its 15 individual units.
The assessment focused on all 11 University faculties as well as four research-focused independent institutes: the Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), the Finnish Museum of Natural History (Luomus), the Swedish School of Social Science and the Helsinki Collegium for Advanced Studies.
World-class research in several areas, need for systematic development
The external assessment was carried out by a panel of 27 international experts who visited the University in November 2025. The panel was divided into three subgroups, chaired by John Seddon (Imperial College London, UK - Health and Life Sciences), Stacey Ristinmaa‑Sörensen (Lund University, Sweden - Science, Technology and Environment), and Claire Warwick (Durham University, UK - Social Sciences and Humanities).
According to the panel, internationally competitive and in many cases globally top-ranking research is being conducted across all fields at the University of Helsinki. The panel also pointed out areas in need of systematic development, including the long-term development of research infrastructures, the consolidation of structures for interdisciplinary collaboration, and the clarification of career paths to enable new research initiatives.
The findings support the University's strategic planning and, in particular, introduced in the beginning of 2026. The panel found the scheme a promising framework that brings together the University's strengths and boosts the achievement of shared goals. At the same time, the panel emphasised the need to carry on with its development to make the scheme broadly reflect the University's research and provide a clearly defined role and purpose for each top research area.
Assessment based on extensive participation
The assessment was an extensive joint effort involving many members of the University community, with all assessed units drawing up self-assessment reports in spring 2025. For the first time, a self-assessment with a focus on interdisciplinarity was conducted at the University level.
This self-assessment was overseen by the University's Research Council. The assessment steering group was responsible for the principles and progress of the assessment as well as the guidelines for its practical implementation.
The observations presented in the report will be available for unit-specific development and the University's strategic management immediately from publication. The assessment offers concrete recommendations for, among other things, the long-term development of research infrastructures, the strengthening of interdisciplinarity and the increasingly systematic promotion of societal research impact.
The assessment was carried out as enhancement-led assessment aimed at producing feedback that is as useful and operationally supportive as possible for the University and its units. Enhancement-led assessment is carried out in dialogue with the assessment subjects, building trust and acknowledging researchers' expertise. It is important that the assessment results are genuinely available to units in their development activities and support the University's long-term research strategy. This approach speaks to an assessment culture based on the principles laid down by the Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment (CoARA), which emphasise openness, inclusivity and the appropriateness of assessment.
Support for unit development and strategic University management
Individual units will use the assessment results as part of their annual implementation planning, with the aim of basing their development efforts on the recommendations. In the early autumn, Vice-Rector Anne Portaankorva will meet the leadership of each assessed unit to discuss capitalising on the results and possible further measures.
In addition, the assessment observations provide an important starting point for preparing for the next strategy period.
