Evaluating research excellence in architecture

A view from German technical universities towards a European perspective

authored by

Martin Luce, Mieke Pfarr-Harfst, Judith Reeh, Jörg Schröder, Oliver Tessmann

Abstract

From the perspective of the architecture departments in nine German technical universities, this essay argues that the positioning of architecture as a research discipline requires adapted evaluation standards to fulfil its promise of generating new knowledge. Evaluation processes depend on and also influence their funding context, plus they are strongly linked to a categorisation of research practices and topics. The essay argues for widespread recognition of discipline-specific research methods, as well as specific outputs and publication practices. It provides empirical evidence of new European standards for peer-reviewed assessment of architectural research in line with subject-specific approaches. Suggestions are made for opening up excellence funding lines to design-oriented and practice-based research. The essay thus calls to work together to improve evaluation and funding frameworks. Its conclusions support the goal of the Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment (COARA) to maximise the excellence and impact of research by reforming assessment practices.

Organisation(s)

Territorial Design and Urban Planning

External Organisation(s)

Technical University of Munich (TUM)
Technische Universität Darmstadt
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)

Type

Article

Journal

AJAR Arena Journal of Architectural Research

Volume

8

ISSN

2397-0820

Publication date

16.08.2023

Publication status

Published

Peer reviewed

Yes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Architecture, Development, Urban Studies, Arts and Humanities(all)

Research Area (based on ÖFOS 2012)

Urban design, Architectural design, Urban planning

Sustainable Development Goals

SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities

Electronic version(s)

https://doi.org/10.55588/ajar.364 (Access: Open)