Skip to main content
To KTH's start page

Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) 2021

KTH conducted its third Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) 2019 to 2022. Previously, two RAE have been carried out (in 2008 and 2012). The overall aim of the RAE was to develop and strengthen the quality of KTH's research. It was also part of KTH's quality assurance system.

The RAE 2021 evaluation was based on previously conducted evaluations and KTH's quality system at the time. RAE 2021 was planned to be completed in early 2021, but due to the pandemic in spring 2020, the evaluation was extended by one year. The year 2020 was devoted to an internal review while the external review was conducted in 2021. The RAE was completed in April 2022.

Parts of RAE 2021

  • External peer review
  • Division into panels based on research fields, 9 subject panels in total and 3 cross-cutting panels (research infrastructure, sustainability and impact)
  • Institution as smallest unit (two to six institutions per panel)
  • Automated data collection that relieved the workload and a self-assessment produced by the environments
  • Previously conducted RAE (2012 and 2008)

Experts

The RAE steering group appointed experts based on proposals from the departments and KTH's management. Each panel comprised eight, mainly international, experts. One of these had also participated in RAE 2012. The panels also included a representative from industry or the public sector. Some experts from the panels also formed three thematic panels tasked with assessing the areas of research infrastructure, sustainability and impact.

Expert site visits and final reporting

The external review of KTH's research was conducted during a digital visit week, when more than 90 experts met with KTH's researchers. Based on self-evaluations, interviews and supplementary material, the experts compiled twelve reports with recommendations for how KTH's research activities can be developed and improved. The reports were submitted in their final version to KTH at the end of 2021. A report summarizing the results for KTH as a whole was published in the spring of 2022.

Summary report

The results of RAE 2021 have been formalised in an official summary report. The final report summarises the expert statements, and describes the overall recommendation and comments on KTH’s research and the connected support functions.

Summary report: Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) 2021 (pdf 2.6 MB)