Peer Evaluation: Advancing Excellence at the Faculty of Earth Sciences, Geography, and Astronomy
The Faculty of Earth Sciences, Geography, and Astronomy recently underwent a comprehensive peer evaluation conducted by an international team of experts. The evaluators, led by Daniel Parsons (Loughborough University), Gunilla Svensson (Stockholm University), and Ulrike Gerhard (Heidelberg University), spent three days engaging with faculty leadership, staff, researchers, and students to assess the faculty’s progress and future potential. Their findings highlight both significant achievements and critical areas for improvement.
Key Strengths Identified
The evaluators commended the faculty’s commitment to inter- and transdisciplinary research, noting its potential to position the faculty as a leader in addressing societal challenges. The tenure track hiring program was praised for attracting high-quality international talent, and the doctoral school model was recognized as a promising initiative for fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and enhancing the doctoral experience. The evaluators noted significant investments over recent years in research infrastructure and research output was described as excellent in many areas.
Challenges and Recommendations
Despite these strengths, the evaluators identified several challenges that need attention. A lack of diversity among departmental chairs and senior staff was highlighted as a critical issue, with concerns that current strategies are insufficient to address this imbalance. The tenure track professors, while highly capable, face a challenging environment with limited resources. The faculty also faces organizational and human resource challenges, including a lack of a clear, comprehensive strategy towards scientific equipment and research infrastructure.
The evaluators also noted that the faculty’s strategy for inter- and transdisciplinary collaboration partly lacks alignment across departments. Some areas seemed to remain siloed, and greater buy-in from senior personnel is needed to drive a cohesive vision. Furthermore, scarcity of innovative teaching formats and limited opportunities for international exchanges were flagged as areas requiring action.
Path Forward
To address these challenges, the evaluators recommended a long-term staffing strategy that prioritizes diversity, succession planning, and equitable resource distribution. They also emphasized the need for a more structured approach to managing research infrastructure and fostering collaboration across disciplines. The establishment of thematic clusters, existing as prototype, was suggested as a way to unite faculty efforts and enhance interdisciplinary teaching and research.
The peer evaluation underscores the faculty’s potential to become a beacon of success for the university. By addressing the identified challenges and building on its strengths, the faculty can continue to advance its mission of delivering impactful research and education.
Implementation
The Rectorate held an in-depth discussion with the faculty management regarding the evaluation results. Within the framework of the 2025 target agreements, the implementation measures were thoroughly elaborated, culminating in the signing of the implementation agreement. The measures outlined in the agreement will be tracked and assessed in the context of future target agreements.
The evaluation report and statement by the Faculty of Earth Sciences, Geography, and Astronomy, are available to university members at https://qs.univie.ac.at/en/evaluation/faculties-centres/evaluation-reports/
