Research unit visit

An action based on respect of people

The expert committee members analyse the unit’s evaluation application and prepare for the interviews that will be held at the unit by adopting the analysis grid in the model suggested for the evaluation report.

The on-site visit begins with a meeting between experts to determine the details of the visit and each participant’s role. The expert committee chairman checks that the visit is properly carried out in keeping with the schedule set after consultation with the unit director, and runs all discussions.

A discussion in camera between the expert committee members concludes the interviews. The AERES representative attends this discussion without intervening on content assessments, but the supervising body representatives do not attend.

Planning a visit

Planning a visit entails:

• a public session meeting with the unit director, together with his or her management team for all or part of it. The presentation of the unit’s activity must not take longer than an hour. Instead of being an exhaustive inventory, it shall focus on the most striking scientific facts and/or significant developments in its positioning (thematic adjustments, etc.). The director shall present and comment on his or her breakdown of the unit’s “productive” staff
• an on-site meeting with the research teams. If justified by the number of teams, the expert committee may split up to devote enough time to each team
• a meeting with the technical teams when justified by their role
• a meeting with the unit board and/or staff representatives and with doctoral students (these meetings shall be held in camera with the committee)
• the expert committee may ask to talk to anyone it considers relevant and the opinion of the supervising bodies present.