Research Evaluation – Reality, Burden or Future Prospect?

Reflecting the Experience at the University of Graz

At the University of Graz, one of the key quality management procedures of research is peer evaluation. In the first section, this paper shows the embedding of the research evaluation in the university’s quality system as well as the purposes of the system. Section II describes the beginnings of the research evaluation. After the first two cycles of evaluation, with different perceptions within the university, University of Graz is currently conducting the third cycle with a considerably revised procedure and additional new aims. Major changes and effects will be outlined through using the faculty of theology as an example. The article presents the advancement of evaluation purposes and illustrates how to get people to take more responsibility for evaluations. The lessons learnt from the two cycles of research evaluation and their impacts on quality management in research will be discussed at the institutional level.