The Academy of Finland has released an evaluation report focusing on research in art and design in Finland. The evaluation was carried out by an international expert panel. Research in Media Lab was evaluated as part of the TaiK.
Here are the quotations regarding Media Lab:
“The current division into Schools of Design, Art Education, Visual Culture, Media Lab and Motion Picture, TV, and Production Design seems sensible and practical.”
“…the (Media) Lab and the Institute, if managed well, provide natural bridges for work in the area of information design and information display.”
“The (Media) Lab reports that there is no clinical research. Applied research accounts for approximately 70% of the work and basic research accounts for approximately 30% of the work.”
“(In the Media Lab) there is a broader focus than just digital media. In this group – excellent in reputation and excellent in fact – theory and making are regarded as having a dialogical relationship. Doctoral research is very good, students present their results at international forums, and they move on to good jobs, working in Finland or elsewhere.”
“Work in the Lab appears to be grouped around four thematic interests, signaling a mature unit that has found its focus and it proceeding to do fine work.”
The report states some recommendations, too:
“The only problem is the small size of the staff. The Media Lab is trying to support too many students. That is, the faculty/student ratio is not correct. Either there should be fewer students or more faculty members. However, given the importance of digital products for the economic development of Finland, it seems clear that it would be better to have more members of faculty rather than to have fewer students.”
We couldn’t agree more. :-)
The whole book is available online: Research in Art and Design in Finnish Universities (Suomen Akatemia 4/90:)
Academy of Finland
The Academy of Finland’s mission is to finance high-quality scientific research, act as a science and science policy expert, and strengthen the position of science and research.