Public sector consultancy

The Danish Centre for Studies in Research and Research Policy was established as a governmental research agency under the auspices of the Ministry for Research in 1997, but was in 2004 merged into Aarhus University. The Centre has continued to provide research-based evidence and advice to public sector organisations, including research councils, ministries, parliaments, and supranational institutions such as the European Union. Increasingly, evaluations and analyses of research activities and their impact are also commissioned by organisations in the private sector, including non-profit research foundations.

A selection of recent commissioned studies carried out by the Danish Centre for Studies in Research and Research Policy is listed below. For more information about the centre’s services to public and private sector organisations, please contact centre director Carter Bloch or associate professor Ebbe Krogh Graversen.

Research funding evaluation

CFA Evaluation of Innovation Centre Denmark

Innovation Centre Denmark (ICDK) is a cooperation between the Danish Ministry of Higher Education and Science and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark with seven centres located in different parts of the world. CFA has conducted a study on behalf of the Danish Agency for Higher Education and Science to examine how the innovation centres work and how their activities can be measured. The study seeks to build a value-creation model that captures ICDK’s innovation activities and how they seek to create value through innovative partnerships.

Project period: 2023

Evaluation of EUopSTART

The Danish Centre for Studies in Research and Research Policy has performed an effect evaluation of the EUopSTART program for EFI. EUopSTART provides grants for Danish companies and knowledge institutions' preparatory work to prepare applications for a number of EU research programmes. The purpose of EUopSTART is to intensify the participation of Danish research institutions and companies in European research and innovation.

Project period: 2021

DFIR Finance of Danish Research – The distribution of competitive research funds in areas and topics

On behalf of the Danish Council for Research and Innovation Policy, the Danish Centre for Studies in Research and Policy Research has carried out a study of the dispersion of research funds and grants between different fields of study. The project consists of two analyses. The aim of the first analysis is to map the distribution of funds and grants between different fields of study in the wider Danish financing system. The second analysis focuses more narrowly on health research.

Project participants: Emil Bargmann Madsen, Kaare Aagaard, Jesper W. Schneider and Jens Peter Andersen
Project period: 2019

DEA Competitive funding

On behalf of DEA, CFA carries out a study of research funding with a specific emphasis on the balance between concentration and diversity. Based on a literature review and a theoretical discussion of competition in science the study will empirically examine the concentration of external research funding at the level of individual/research groups as well as at the level of fields and specialties. The project aims to improve our general knowledge of the consequences of increased use of competitive funding mechanisms. From this outset the project will initiate and inform both general and specific science policy discussions regarding funding mechanisms and priority setting.     
Project leader: Kaare Aagaard
Project participants: Jesper W. Schneider, Carter Bloch, Jens Peter Andersen, Alexander Kladakis
Project period: 2019

Annual Impact Assesment Report of Novo Nordisk Foundation Funded Research

On behalf of the Novo Nordisk Foundation, the Danish Centre for Studies in Research and Research Policy conducted an analysis of research funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation. The analysis consisted among other things of a bibliometric analysis.

Project period: 2017

Effects of participation in EU framework programmes for research

In September 2015, the Danish Agency for Research and Innovation published a report describing the effect of the Danish participation in EU’s sixth and seventh framework programme for Research (FP6 and FP7). The report consists of several analyses, among others a bibliometric analysis on the impact of Danish scientific publications linked to projects financed by FP6 and FP7. The bibliometric analysis was carried out by the Danish Center for Studies in Research and Research Policy.

Commissioned by: The Danish Agency for Research and Innovation

Report: Effects of participation in EU framework programmes for research and technological development – for researchers, institutions and private companies in Denmark

Bibliometric analysis: Technical Annex 1: Bibliometric analyses of publications from Danish PIs linked to EU Framework Programs 6 and 7

Publication date: 9. September 2015

Read the Danish Agency for Research and Innovation's press release (09.09.15).

Evaluation of the Danish Council for Independent Research

In October 2014, The Danish Agency for Research and Innovation published an evaluation of the Danish Council for Independent Research. The evaluation is among other things based on a bibliometric analysis of the scientific articles linked to grants from the Danish Council for Independent Research in the period from 2005 to 2008. The bibliometric analysis was carried out by the Danish Center for Studies in Research and Research Policy.

Commissioned by: The Danish Agency for Research and Innovation

Evaluation report: Evaluation of the Danish Council for Independent Research

Bibliometric analysis: Analyses of the scholarly and scientific output from grants funded by the Danish Council for Independent Research from 2005 to 2008

Publication date: 21 October 2014

Read the Danish Agency for Research and Innovation's press release (21.10.14).

Evaluation of the Norwegian publishing indicator

On behalf of Universities Norway (UHR), the Danish Center for Studies in Research and Research Policy during the fall of 2013 carried out an evaluation of the Norwegian Publication Indicator. The main aim of the evaluation was to examine if the purpose of the Publication Indicator, which was introduced to the Norwegian universities in 2006, has been met: Does the indicator spur more research and research of a higher quality?

Commissioned by: Universities Norway (Universitets- og høgskolerådet)

Evaluation report: Evaluering af den norske publiceringsindikator; Evaluation of the Norwegian Publication Indicator – English Summary

Publication date: 16 January 2014

Evaluation of The Danish National Research Foundation

In December 2013, the Danish Agency for Research and Innovation published an evaluation of the Danish National Research Foundation. The evaluation is among other things based on a bibliometric analysis of publications from Centers of Excellence under the Danish National Research Foundation. The bibliometric analysis was carried out by Jesper W. Schneider from the Danish Center for Studies in Research and Research Policy and Rodrigo Costas from Centre for Science and Technology Studies (CWTS), Leiden University.

Commissioned by: The Danish Agency for Research and Innovation

Evaluation report: Evaluation of The Danish National Research Foundation

Bibliometric analysis: Bibliometric analyses of publications from Centres of Excellence funded by the Danish National Research Foundation

Publication date: 16 December 2013

Read the Danish Agency for Research and Innovation's press release (16.12.13).

Gender and research in the Danish Independent Research Council

In March 2013, the Danish Agency for Research and Innovation published the report "Gender and research in The Danish Independent Research Council”. The report presents an overview of the central topics and relevant data material regarding the gender distribution in the Danish research landscape and furthermore looks closer at the gender aspect of the Danish Independent Research Council’s practice. On behalf of the Danish Independent Research Council, the report and the associated collection of tables were carried out by the Danish Center for Studies in Research and Research Policy.

Commissioned by: The Danish Independent Research Council

Report and collection of tables: Køn og forskning i Det Frie Forskningsråd

Publication date: 13 March 2013

The report was published in connection with the Danish Independent Research Council's research conference "Gender, research and excellence" the 14th of March 2013. Read more about the "Gender, research and excellence" conference.

Evaluation of the support of the Danish Independent Research Council for research projects

In October 2011, the Danish Agency for Research and Innovation published the report "Evaluation of the instrument ‘research projects’ in the Danish Independent Research Council”. The report documents the effects of grants from the Danish Independent Research Council on research, researchers and research environments in the period from 2001 to 2009. On behalf of the Danish Agency for Research and Innovation, the evaluation was carried out by the Danish Center for Studies in Research and Research Policy.

Commissioned by: The Danish Agency for Research and Innovation

Evaluation reports: Evaluering af virkemidlet "forskningsprojekter" i Det Frie Forskningsråd

Publication date: 27 October 2011

Read the Danish Agency for Research and Innovation's press release (27.10.11).

Research mapping and networks

CFA analysis of DNFR Centers of Excellence

The Danish Center for Studies in Research and Research Policy (CFA) has conducted a retrospective analysis of the early Centers of Excellences from the National Danish Research Foundation (DNRF).

The purpose of the analysis is to analyze: 1) what elements of the CoE framework were effective in promoting excellence in research and why, 2) the impact of the CoE on the involved re-searchers, institutions, and society, and 3) potentials and challenges for the DNRF CoE as seen by involved researchers and institutions.

Project participants: Emil D. Alnor, Jesper W. Schneider, and Lise Degn

Project period: 2023

Evaluation of Research and Technology Organizations

In collaboration with the Danish Agency for Higher Education and Science (UFS), CFA carries out evaluations of the seven Approved Research and Technological Organizations (GTS) in Denmark.

The purpose of the evaluations is to strengthen UFS’s knowledge of the individual institute's strengths, challenges, and potentials for an effective effort to accelerate business’ use of new knowledge and technology.

Project period: 2022-2023

DFIR Danish Wind Ecosystem

Using the wind energy sector in Denmark as a success case, this study investigates dynamics and systemic conditions, such as the sector ecosystem of test and research facilities, and the role of regulatory and institutional framework conditions, that have been driving technological innovation within the sector in order to draw lessons that can be transferred to new and emerging green technology areas. 

Project period: 2022

Literature review on effects of Research and Technology Organizations (RTO)

CFA has performed the literature review, which will provide SIU with a better knowledge base about RTO's significance for companies and knowledge institutions in order to support SIU's further development and management of the Danish GTS institutes. 

Project period: 2020-2021

Mapping of research litterature for inspection by public leadership educations (KaFEOL)

CFA has performed three reviews of existing research literature within ‘Research in effect and effect measurement of public management education’, ‘Research in the meaning of ways to exercise public management’ and ‘Research in the meaning of framework for development and further training of public leaders’. The purpose of the surveys is to establish an easily accessible overview of the important research articles and publications that shed light on the importance of different ways of organizing, developing and organizing public management education. 

Project period: 2020

Career tracking of recipients of PhD and postdoc scholarships from the Lundbeck and Novo Nordisk Foundations

On behalf of Novo Nordisk Foundation and Lundbeck Foundation, the Danish Centre for Studies in Research and Research Policy conducted a range of analyses of PhDs and postdocs that received grants from the two foundations. 

Project period: 2019

Competitive Research Funds: Concentration of means in theory and practice, and Concentration and Dispersion Review

On behalf of DEA, the Danish Centre for Studies in Research and Research Policy conducted a project with a generel focus on research funds subject to competition. The project also brings a more narrow perspective on the balance between concentration and diversity. The main purpose of the project is: (1) To improve the generel knowledge on the use of the subject-to-competition-instrument and (2) to initiate and inform both generel and more specific research policy orientated discussions about means and priorities.

Project leader: Kaare Aagaard
Project participants: Jesper W. Schneider, Carter Bloch, Jens Peter Andersen and Alexander Kladakis
Project period: 2017-2018

Greenland Research Activities and Actors

Analysis of research activities and research participants in Greenland:

The purpose of the analysis is to create an overview of:

  • Research participants (e.g. researchers, research institutes and other authorities) operating in Greenland.
  • Where these participants are operating in Greenland.
  • Within which primary fields of study research is conducted.
  • The average number of days researcher participants spend in Greenland annually, and
  • National and international research collaborators in Greenland.

Project leader: Ebbe K. Graversen   
Project participant: Asger Dalsgaard Pedersen
Project period: 2017-2018

Evaluation of the Institutes of Social Science

On behalf of the Norwegian Research Council, the Danish Centre for Studies in Research and Research Policy in corporation with Technopolis Group conducted an evaluation of 22 Instituties of Social Science in Norway. The Danish Centre for Studies in Research and Research Policy was especially involved with a bibliometric analysis. 

Project period: 2016

Internationalisation highlighted through a "career trace analysis" of researchers who have received elite grants

On behalf of the Independent Research Fund Denmark, the Danish Centre for Studies in Research and Research Policy conducted a career trace analysis. The aim of the analysis was to map the career paths of a group of researchers that received a range of elite grants.

Project leader: Jesper W. Schneider
Project period: 2016

Mapping of Danish Neuro Research

The aim of this project is to provide a foundation for developing and launching new initiatives to stimulate Danish brain research.

Project leader: Jesper W. Schneider
Project period: 2016

Evaluation of International Network Programme

Evaluation of research funding instrument 'Internationalt Netværksprogram' [International Network Programme], including interviews with key stakeholders and grant recipients, survey of grant recipients, and biblometric analysis of publication output from grant recipients and PIs of rejected proposals.
Project leader: Ebbe K. Graversen
Project participants:  Evanthia K. Schmidt, Carter Bloch, Thomas Ryan, Andreas Kjær, Niels Mejlgaard
Project period: 2015-2016

Innovation research 2014: Renewal of manufacturing Critical Competences for Value Creation in the Danish and Finnish Manufacturing

The object of the project is to carry out a qualitative and quantitative analysis of critical innovation competences that are necessary for advanced manufacturing firms to compete in a changing economy. The project is focused around case studies and a comparison between Denmark and Finland.

Project period: 2015

Bibliometric analysis of Region Hovedstaden's research publications

On behalf of Region Hovedstaden, the Danish Centre for Studies in Research and Research Policy conducted an bibliometric analysis of Region Hovedstaden's research publications in 2014. The analysis differentiated between several organisational levels and moreover between different fields of study. 

Project period: 2014-2016

Mapping of Danish research in Research and Innovation

On behalf of the Danish Agency for Research and Innovation, the Danish Centre for Studies in Research and Research Policy in the period from December 2013 to 2014 conducted a study which purpuse was to map the research area "Research and Innovation". The study includes two surveys for researchers and Head of Institutes, respectively, interviews with key figures and a bibliometric analysis of the research area. The results of the study are presented in the report "”Mapping Danish Research on Research and Innovation”.

Report: Mapping Danish Research on Research and Innovation
Project participants: Lise Degn, Niels Mejlgaard and Jesper W. Schneider
Project period: 2013-2015
 

Mapping of Danish social and welfare research

The Ministry of Social Affairs and Integration and the Ministry of Education published a report in 2012. The report maps Danish social and welfare research's extent, knowledge diffusion and coorporation with the surrounding social sector. The mapping is based on a four-part study conducted by the Danish Centre for Studies in Research and Research Policy. The report consists of a main report and a subreport. The subreport includes supplementary descriptions of the different parts of the study's methods and results. 

Commissioned by: The Ministry of Social Affairs and Integration and the Ministry of Education

Report: Kortlægning af dansk social- og velfærdsforskning

Publication Date: 23 November 2012

Read the Ministry of Education's press release (23.11.12).
 

Collaboration, higher education and careers

PhD Graduate Employment Survey 2019-2023

The Danish Centre for Studies in Research and Research Policy, CFA, annually conducts Aarhus University's employment survey for PhD graduates in the years 2019-2023. Every year a report is published in English. 

Project leader: Ebbe K. Graversen   
Period: 2021-2023

Co-Location

Based on Aarhus University, three main cases and a number of subcases are selected for a pilot study of co-location activities (Kathrinebjerg, Aarhus Food Park, ISA as main cases). The pilot study collect information about the scope, nature and variety of knowledge transfer projects via co-location. The pilot study examines the advantages and disadvantages, opportunities and pitfalls for co-location projects, as the parties involved experience them.
Project leaderMads P. Sørensen
Project participants: Allan Rye Lund, Thomas Kjeldager Ryan, Carter Bloch
Publication date: January 2019

Aarhus University Graduate Employment Survey 2010-2017

On behalf of AU Education, the Danish Centre for Studies in Research and Research Policy has conducted Aarhus University's Graduate Employment Surveys in the period 2010-2017. AU's yearly employment surveys include professional bachelors, bachelors, masters and PhDs one and five years after the end of their programme at AU. From 2012, the survey only examines bachelors when they do not proceed to a master's degree. Besides the annual employment surveys, an employment survey of further education Masters was conducted in 2012. 

Publications

Read more

Project leader: Ebbe K. Graversen   
Project participants: Allan Rye Lyngs, Jane F. Irming, Emil Bargmann Madsen, among others.
Period: 2010-2017

Analysis of Swedish reforms on university and folk schools

In 2010, The Swedish Riksdag passed two reforms of the Swedish system for higher education, an autonoy reform and a quality reform. On behalf of the Swedish Riksdag's Utbildningsutskott, the Danish Centre for Studies in Research and Research Policy in the period from mid-2013 to start-2016 conducted a follow-up study on the implementation and effects of the two reforms. In April 2015 The Utbildningsutskott published the main report of the follow-up study. The main report sums up the main results from the study's four substudies. The results from each of the four substudies are published in separate subreports. One of the substudies, a case study-based study, is separated into two phases. The first phase was conducted in 2014, and the second phase was conducted in the end of 2015 and was reported in the spring of 2016. 

Commissioned by: Utbildningsutskottet, The Swedish Riksdag
Project period: 2013-2016
Project participants: Mads P. Sørensen, Sanne Haase, Ebbe Krogh Graversen, Evanthia Kalpazidou Schmidt, Niels Mejlgaard and Thomas Kjeldager Ryan

Main report: Autonomi och kvalitet - ett uppföljningsprojekt om implementering och effekter av två högskolereformer i Sverige. Huvudrapport (15.04.15)

Subreports:

Evaluation of post doc funding in the Danish Independent Research Council

On behalf of the Danish Independent Research Council, the Danish Centre for Studies in Research and Research Policy conducted an evaluation of the Council's funding of postdoc scholarships, both individually financed postdoc grants and postdoc employments embedded in other types of grants, in the period from 2001 to 2009. The period both covers activities for the six public research councils until 2004 and the five professional research councils assembled under the Danish Independent Research Council from 2004. 

Commissioned by: The Danish Independent Research Council

Evaluation report: Evaluering af postdocfinansiering i Det Frie Forskningsråd

Publication date: December 19th 2012

Read the Agency for Reseach and Innovation's press release (19.12.12).
 

Study of working conditions at previous and current governmental research institutions

In the period from November 2011 to January 2012, the Danish Centre for Studies in Research and Research Policy conducted a survey study of employees at the former and current governmental research institutions. The starting point of the study was an interest in the effects of the fusion in 2007 between governmental research institutions and universities on employees' experience of the fusion proces and how fusion afterwards has affected employees' working conditions and career choices. 

Commissioned by: Danish Association of Masters and PhDs

Report: Arbejdsvilkår ved de tidligere og nuværende sektorforskningsinstitutioner

Tables: Arbejdsvilkår ved de tidligere og nuværende sektorforskningsinstitutioner - Tabelsamling

Survey: Arbejdsvilkår ved de tidligere og nuværende sektorforskningsinstitutioner - Spørgeskema

Publication date: March 23rd 2012
 

Evaluation of the research councils support for career advancement

On behalf of the Agency for Research and Innovation, the Danish Centre for Studies in Research and Research Policy conducted an evaluation of the research council system's means for career promotion implemented through efforts directed at researchers in the start of their career and female researcher, respectively, in the period from 2001 to 2008 and additionally through the programme "Female Researchers in Joint Action" (FREJA) from 1998.

Commissioned by: The Danish Agency for Research and Innovation

Evaluation report: Forskningsrådenes virkemidler til fremme af karriere

Publication date: March 23rd 2010