Evaluations and programme plan

Evaluations

MARE have been evaluated two times during the programmes lifetime. One evaluation was done 2002. This included both a scientific evaluation and a user evaluation. At the end of MARE there will be a new scientific evaluation. The evaluation is scheduled 26-28 Mars, 2007.

Evaluation 2002

In May 2002, two major assassments were made of the MARE research programme for the purpose of evaluating the results of the first three years of activity (2000—2002), i.e., the first programme phase.The scientific quality of the programme was assessed, as was the potential utility of its results to society at large once the programme has come to an end.However, the second phase of the programme is not intended only as a continuation of phase 1.One important aspect of the assessment(s) is summarize lessons learned and maybe, as a result of that, partly restructure the programme for the second and final phase 2.

The scientific assessment of the MARE programme was conducted by an international expert review panel, with a Swedish chairman, whereas the utility assessment was made by a consulting company. Both groups were appointed by the Swedish Foundation for Strategic Environmental Research (MISTRA).

The result of the utility assessment was most encouraging. As far as the scientific assessments was concerned, the material submitted to the review panel was, however, considered not altogether satisfactory. Consequently, the programme management was requested to further elaborate and complement the material on which a second assessment could be based.

The material initially submitted comprised, inter alia, the programme plan for the year 2000 (the last year of phase 1), the proposed programme plan for the second programme phase, and the first version of a synthesis report of phase 1.

The scientific re-assessment was carried out on in November 2002, and the review panel arrived at the conclusion that a continuation of the MARE programme could be recommended. In its report, the panel emphasized that "MARE should be congratulated for attempting to integrate their respective disciplines into a tool with the purpose of aiding decision makers to use scientific knowledge as a base for designing abatement strategies". The panel also pointed out that "MARE must incorporate potential users (including potential non-Swedish users" of the proprosed decision support system at all levels of the project from the very beginning of phase 2".

On the basis of the outcome of both assessments, the MISTRA Board decided in December 2002 that the MARE programme, as proposed, will be continued for another four years (2003—2006, phase 2). However, the proposed programme plan was in some parts be complemented (see programme plan 4).

READ MORE

Re-assessment report by Scientific Review Panel (November 2002). Utility assessment report (June 2002). Available in Swedish only. MARE Synthesis Report Phase 1 (revised, more comprehensive version, October 2002). A summary of the main results —scientific, commercial, practical, as well as results in terms cooperation and synergy. (PDF file, approx. 2 MB)

Scientific evaluation 2007

The scientific evaluation will be conducted by an international expert review panel, with a Swedish chairman, appointed by the Swedish Foundation for Strategic Environmental Research (MISTRA). The material submitted to the review panel are:

• Annual reports 1999-2004.
• Instead of a report for 2005 is was agreed with MISTRA that we publish a more user orientated brochure (2006) - Restoring the Baltic sea - using Baltic NEST.
• Evaluation reports from our half-time evaluation 2002. Re-assessment report by Scientific Review Panel and the Utility assessment report (only in Swedish).
• User manual for Baltic Nest. This is also available at www.mare.su.se/nest . The manual is updated as modifications and new functions are included in Baltic Nest.
• Baltic Nest scenarios 2007. This document is made in cooperation with the HELCOM secretariat as an input to the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan.
• Future Baltic Nest - A short summary.
• Revised version synthesis of MARE, after the evaluation 2002.
• A list of scientific articles published during the program. This list also includes reports, doctoral thesis, licentiate thesis and reports from degree-projects.
• Scientific key publications. 21 scientific publications were selected representing our main research areas:

Programme plans

• Programme plan, final year, for programme phase 2.
• Programme plan 4, complemented in February 2003, for programme phase 2.
• Programme plan 3, updated in February 2002, for programme phase 1.
• Programme plan 2, for programme phase 1.
• Programme plan 1, for programme phase 1.