Research

HR Excellence in Research

Reykjavik University (RU) is a leader in Icelandic research, excelling in technology, business, economics, sports science, psychology, engineering, and law. The University has developed a dynamic research environment that emphasizes strong connections with industry and society, innovation, and interdisciplinary collaboration, preparing to tackle the challenges of the future.

Research at RU is evaluated against international standards and guided by principles aligned with the European Union’s HR Excellence in Research framework. This commitment ensures a supportive working environment for researchers and reinforces the University’s global standing.

Global Recognition

In the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2023, Reykjavik University ranked in the 301–350 bracket, maintaining its position as the highest-ranked university in Iceland. For the third consecutive year, RU also led globally in research influence, as measured by citations per research publication, reflecting its impact on global academic knowledge.

The citation data, sourced from Elsevier, includes over 86 million citations of 13.6 million peer-reviewed articles, books, and conference proceedings published in the past five years. THE’s evaluation methodology adjusts for staff size, publication frequency, and other factors, ensuring an accurate measure of research impact.

Steady Growth in Research

RU has significantly increased its research activity in recent years, with a rising number of peer-reviewed publications. Across its core academic fields, RU is recognised as a leader in research performance in Iceland. These achievements highlight its dedication to producing impactful, high-quality research that contributes to solving global challenges.

Reykjavik University continues to prioritise academic excellence, fostering innovation and collaboration while maintaining strong ties with both local and international communities.

Annual Research Report

Reykjavik University publishes an annual report highlighting the University's strength in research.

RU Research Services

RU Research Services monitors opportunities for obtaining external research funds and provides assistance in applying for these funds, developing budgets, and lending other administrative support.

Please contact us if you have any questions or need help

The main objectives are: 

I. Financing research

• Monitor financing opportunities nationally and abroad (EU and USA).
• Assist academic employees in writing applications for competitive funds.
• Assist academic employees in writing reports and running research projects.

II. Research evaluation

• Collect data, statistics and reports on research activities within RU. 
• Coordinate RU external research assessments. 

III. Dissemination and cooperation

• Publish and present RU research.
• Contact person to national and international competitive research funds.

Additional research resources

Graduate study

Six academic departments offer graduate programmes. With RU's graduate courses, students have an opportunity to conduct research or prepare for a career through an innovative, applied learning approach. Most courses will offer both opportunities. 

Graduate courses are 90-120 ECTS and take two years of full-time study to complete. All departments offer graduate programmes taught in English.

Doctoral study

RU offers PhD study in six academic departments. For more information regarding specific PhD programmes and contact information, please refer to the school website specific to your programme of interest. 

There, you will find more information about the PhD programmes and contact information.   

• Department of Business and Economics
• Department of Computer Science
• Department of Law
• Department of Engineering
• Department of Sports Science
• Department of Psychology

Doctoral grants

In Iceland, there are several research funds that offer doctoral grants. Below is a list of some of these funds.

• The Icelandic Research Fund (Doctoral student grant - Student applies)
• The Icelandic Research Fund (Excellence grant and Project grant - Supervisor applies)
• Landsvirkjun Energy Research Fund (Study grant - Student applies)
• Landsvirkjun Energy Research Fund (Project grant - Supervisor applies)
• Icelandic Pension Funds Association  (Project grant - Student applies)

The faculty of the Research Service can provide further information on domestic and foreign funds that support doctoral projects.

Research Services

[email protected]

RU Research Centre

Reykjavík University (RU) is home to several research centres that drive innovation and academic excellence across various disciplines. These centres focus on cutting-edge research in fields such as artificial intelligence, renewable energy, engineering, business, law, and psychology. By fostering collaboration between academia, industry, and government, RU’s research centres contribute to advancements in technology, sustainability, and social sciences. Their work supports both local and international research projects, helping to shape the future of Icelandic and global industries.

• Visit our Research Centres

Research Council

The responsibility of Reykjavik University research council is to help build and maintain a strong research-oriented culture at the University through motivation and support, the design of processes, and the pursuit of funding opportunities. 

The council comprises one representative from each academic department, in addition to a chairman appointed by the President of the University in consultation with the department chairs. 

The research council formulates a research strategy and provides advice to the president, deans, and chairs of departments for implementing the strategy. Further, the council provides the president of the university with advice on research matters that do not pertain to individual schools or departments. The Department's proposals on the composition of review committees for academic hiring and promotions are sent to the council for comments.

RU Research Council:

• Sigurður Ingi Erlingsson, Department of Engineering, Chair
• Ólafur Haralds Wallevik, Department of Applied Engineering
• Jónas Þór Snæbjörnsson, Department of Engineering
• Susanne Durst, Department of Business and Economics
• Jose Saavedra, Department of Sport Science
• Birna Valborgar Baldursdóttir, Department of Psychology
• Margrét Einarsdóttir, Department of Law
• Anna Sigríður Islind, Department of Computer Science
• Sigrún Þóra Sveinsdóttir, representing RU students
• Kristján Kristjánsson, RU Research Services

Quality assurance system in research

RU Research Assessment

International experts have conducted an evaluation of the research activities of each individual academic employee annually. The assessment was first conducted in 2007. In 2019, it was decided to carry out the assessment every second year, i.e. in 2020, 2022, etc. The main objective of the assessment is to examine the quality of the research and research activity of all academic employees at RU during a 6 year period. The RU Research Council is responsible for and in charge of the assessment in collaboration with RU Research Services. 

RU Research Services coordinates the evaluation process operationally. The Ministry of Education, Science and Culture annually allocates research funds to the University. These funds are allocated on the basis of Article 21 of Act No. 63/2006 on higher education institutions. 

All faculty members who conduct research and publish, using Reykjavik University as their affiliation, are obliged to deliver a Research Report before the 1st of October and be evaluated. The Evaluation Panel uses the Research Report to evaluate the research activity of all academic staff with research duties. Panel members are asked to base their evaluation and hence their rating primarily on the quantity/quality of research output in peer-reviewed outlets. The Evaluation Panel assigns the following rating to each member of the academic staff of each RU department:

0)  None or insignificant research activity.

1)  Little but nontrivial research activity.

2) Contribute to the international research community or domestic where appropriate.

3)  Considerable and active participant in the international research community or domestic where appropriate, with a clear contribution and impact.

4)  Significant and active participant in the international research community or domestic, where appropriate, with a substantial contribution and impact.

Documentation and issuing of key documents, instructions, and results:

Following the individual assessment, an Evaluation Report is written and edited by the Panel members with the assistance of the Coordinator. The report is confidential and only for internal use. The result of the evaluation is made available to the department chairs of the RU departments, who then reveal individual ratings to individual researchers.

The working environment of researchers

Reykjavik University is the first Icelandic university to participate in a formal implementation program of the European Commission policy regarding the working environment of researchers. 

The policy of the European Commission is outlined in two documents that have now been signed by many universities and are now actively being adopted by several universities all over Europe. The two documents are named Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers and the European Charter for Researchers, often called "Charter and Code". 

RU has made a commitment to adapt its overall human resources strategy and the working environment of its researchers to certain principles in line with EU policy in this area. 

The University has participated in self-evaluations and external audits regarding the implementation of the EU principles. A task group at RU completed an internal analysis in 2010, which was a necessary precondition for entering the implementation program and receiving the acknowledgement. The University formally applied for the acknowledgement by the European Commission in 2010 and received it in 2011. In 2012 and 2014, the University submitted a self-assessment and an update of HR Strategy, and in December 2014, the University received an evaluation report from a committee of experts.

The evaluation committee recommended that the University should continue to be acknowledged for implementing the "Charter and Code".

• Results of the „Charter and Code“ internal analysis at Reykjavík University 2010 (pdf)
• A summary of action items related to implementation of the „Charter & Code“ 2010 (pdf)
• Self-assessment and update of Human Resources Strategy for Researchers for Reykjavik University 2012 (pdf)
• Self-assessment and update of Human Resources Strategy for Researchers for Reykjavik University 2014 (pdf)
• Evaluation of Reykjavik University in implementing the "Charter and Code" 2014 (pdf)

[1] For further information on academic freedom, refer to a statement that all university Rectors in Iceland signed in Reykjavik on 15 June 2005 – “Yfirlýsing um forsendur og frelsi háskóla”
[2] Further information on the Policy for Establishing Groups, Centre, and Institutes within Reykjavik University.
[3] Further information in Policy on Open Access – Approved by RU Executive Committee on November 13, 2014