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Quality assurance of research

The Swedish Higher Education Authority (Universitetskanslersämbetet, UKÄ) is responsible for reviewing how higher education institutions work to assure the quality of research. UKÄ emphasises that the institutions themselves are responsible for research quality, and they evaluate how quality work is conducted and ensured at Swedish universities and colleges.

Quality assurance of research includes both continuous follow-up of research and periodic recurring external reviews.

Evaluation of LiU’s research has been carried out within the framework of “Linköping University Research Evaluation 2025” (LiRE25). In autumn 2025, LiRE25 presented a forward-looking report intended to form a basis for the university’s own quality assurance process.

LiRE25 Final report

Vision and strategic plan

In the Vision and Strategic Plan LiU 2030, there are clear target areas for driving quality work. In the target area “Excellence and Impact”, it is stated that LiU shall prioritise the emergence of strong academic environments by ensuring good conditions and long-term access to the infrastructure necessary to meet high quality goals. LiU shall create more attractive career paths with good and equal conditions for future researchers, teachers, and staff that reflect our entire mission. LiU shall also design new programmes based on our strong research areas and with an awareness of the changing needs of society and industry. In the target area “Students Shape the Future”, it is stated that LiU will further develop the already strong student engagement as a driving force for the university’s change and quality work.

Read more about the Vision and strategic plan

Profile areas and centres of excellence

Quality work should be characterised by development and renewal, aiming to achieve excellence and impact. Within these values, LiU has chosen to prioritise certain strategic initiatives, such as profile areas and centres of excellence. Read more about profile areas and centres of excellence further down the page.

Research ethics

Development and renewal at LiU also mean constantly working to promote good research practice. The promotion of good research ethics and research quality are closely linked. At LiU, there is the Council for Ethics and the Promotion of Good Research Practice (REFF), which is an important part of the strategic quality work.

LiRE25

LiRE25 is a comprehensive evaluation of research at Linköping University, commissioned by Vice-Chancellor Jan-Ingvar Jönsson. The core of the evaluation is research quality, but it also addresses research culture and research conditions. The purpose is to provide a basis for future quality work. The focus of LiRE25 is the evaluated units, which in most cases correspond to divisions within LiU's twelve departments, and also include Malmstens at Campus Lidingö as an evaluated unit.

The evaluation was conducted in two stages: a self-evaluation carried out by each evaluated unit during autumn 2024, followed by an external review by expert panels in spring 2025.

In the Vice-Chancellor's decision (Dnr LiU-2023-04517) to carry out LiRE25, it is stated: The research evaluation is an important part of the work on research quality, but also within LiU’s strategic efforts. As part of Vision 2030 in the target area Excellence and Impact, the research evaluation is a vital piece in how LiU can strategically develop its research going forward. This formulation signals that the results of LiRE25 are to be used both for immediate measures and for long-term strategic work. All those involved in LiRE25 strongly hope that this report, together with other documentation produced by the evaluation, will not only inspire quality work but also lead to an actual improvement in the quality of research at LiU!

A man on stage is addressing the audience

Strengths and challenges in research revealed

For the first time, LiU has conducted an evaluation of all research – its quality, the culture, and the conditions for further development. The evaluation has been carried out through self-evaluation and external review by experts.

Read the report

Profile areas and centres of excellence

The four areas designated as LiU’s profile areas in research are Life Science Technologies, Materials Science for Sustainable Technologies, Societal Transformations, and Visual Digital Futures.

With the establishment of so-called Centres of Excellence (LiU-CoE), the university’s most prominent and innovative research environments gain a clearer structure and more long-term support. The four divisions designated as centres of excellence are: the Laboratory of Organic Electronics (LOE) led by Professor Magnus Berggren, the Institute for Analytical Sociology (IAS) led by Professor Peter Hedström, the Centre for Social and Affective Neuroscience (CSAN) led by Professor Markus Heilig, and AI and Integrated Computer Systems (AIICS) led by Professor Fredrik Heintz (the centre will be named AI4X).

Centres of Excellence strengthen LiU’s research

The investment in four prominent research environments, Centres of Excellence, will ensure long-term development, improved quality and deeper collaboration for LiU.

Research ethics

An important part of quality work is research ethics and adhering to good research practice. Research ethics addresses the ethical aspects of research and concerns, among other things, respecting and protecting humans, animals, and society involved in or affected by research. Research ethics also means following good research practice by adhering to the norms and principles that govern the researcher’s professional role. Good research practice and ethical considerations are fundamental to research quality and how the results of research can responsibly be used to develop our society.

LiU’s Council for Ethics and the Promotion of Good Research Practice was established at the beginning of 2024 as a university-wide advisory body. The council’s tasks include serving as a university-wide advisory body. The purpose of the council is to stimulate discussion on ethical issues and promote knowledge development in the field of research ethics. The council shall also provide strategic support for the Vice-Chancellor in proactive efforts to promote good research practice and to prevent deviations from good research practice at the university.