Exploratory Analysis of Scientific Publications for University Governance

Abstract

Research-oriented universities often comprise numerous researchers of various types and possess complex research structures that encompass research groups, departments, laboratories, and research institutes. In this situation, understanding the university's strengths and areas of excellence requires careful examination. Additionally, individuals at different levels of governance (e.g., department heads, directors of research institutes, rectors) may seek to establish synergies among researchers to tackle issues such as international project applications or industry technology transfer. University officials and faculty members frequently require the expertise of specific research groups or individuals, but struggle to obtain this information beyond their personal networks. This limits their ability to locate necessary resources effectively. Fortunately, most institutions have databases containing publications that could provide valuable insights into areas of strength within the university. In this article, we present a visual analysis application capable of addressing these questions and assisting management in making informed decisions regarding governance measures such as creating new research institutes. Our system has been evaluated by domain experts, who found it highly beneficial and expressed interest in utilising it regularly.