Center for Policy Studies
International Policy Fellowships
Nador utca 11, H-1051 Budapest, Hungary (36 1) 327 3863, fax (36 1) 327 3809

MENTOR CRITIQUE FORM

Your thoughtful and honest appraisal will be most helpful. We appreciate your input and will try to implement as many of your ideas as possible. Continue comments on the back if necessary.

Each Fellow works with one mentor who is Soros foundations network-affiliated (usually Open Society Institute and Central European University) and one or two ‘external’ mentor(s) who are experts in the field working outside the Soros foundations network. Mentors should: 1) Work with Fellows to devise a brief policy paper in their field(s) of expertise based on a lengthy research paper written over the course of the fellowship year, 2) Maintain contact with Fellows at least once every six weeks or so by telephone, fax or e-mail to discuss the development of projects, 3) If feasible, meet with Fellows at least once during the fellowship year to discuss the project, 4) Facilitate Fellows’ contact with other relevant experts and participation in appropriate meetings (IPF has discretionary funds to support Fellow attendance at relevant events), 5) Complete brief mid-term and final critique forms supplied by IPF to provide the program with feedback regarding the Fellow’s progress.

Your name, position Aleg Cherp, Assist. Prof., CEU

Name of Fellow you have assisted Kaja Peterson

Overall remark: I suggest that the mentor’s critique form used at the end of a policy fellowship is of a different format from the one used in the beginning.

1. What, in your opinion, have you and your Fellow/program/project gained from your cooperation thus far? 

Kaja has conducted a very interesting research considering perspectives of field bureaucrats and other stakeholders on a new policy tool (Strategic Environmental Assessment). I have helped her to develop a conceptual framework and publish results in an academic peer reviewed paper (including subjecting it to double-blind reviews, etc.) Kaja has provided me with useful empirical information on a policy tool that I am studying.

2. Do certain areas of this Fellow’s work need improvement? Which areas?

In general, Kaja’s work has been very effective and professional for the whole period of her fellowship, although it was interrupted by her unexpected promoting to the acting director of her Institute. 
Initially Kaja planned to conduct research in the three Baltic countries, but subsequently it was decided to limit it primarily to Estonia. This was because the SEA practice in Latvia and Lithuania is not so well developed.

3. In your opinion, does your Fellow’s project make a significant contribution to the field?
	
YES. Academic research of SEA systems in emerging democracies is very scarce and policy-oriented research is virtually absent.
	
4. Would the project be important to other countries in the CEE/fSU region?
	
YES. Her conclusions have been used in Hungary and will be definitely useful for other countries when they are published.

5. Could the policy research which has been carried out make an impact on the policy environment in specific countries or regions? (Policy makers, experts and policy research community)
	
YES, especially in Estonia 	
6. Has the timetable for the project been realistic?

YES
	
7. Could the project benefit a large number of people?
	
Yes
	
8. Does the Fellow show evidence that he/she can think strategically about the relevant project and/or field?
	
YES

9. If the Fellow were to re-apply for continued OSI funding for follow-up work associated with the project, would you support continued funding?
 
YES

10. Are there other appropriate funders that may support the project?

YES. I would consider EU funds as well as funds within the Environment for Europe process

Recommendations for other potential senior contacts for this Fellow:
No

Additional Comments (Please comment on your Fellow’s work and all aspects of the IPF program using the back of this sheet):
No additional comments except technical comments on the policy brief and the research paper which I am providing directly to Kaja