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University submits REF2021 return

25 Mar 2021

Vice-President for Research Professor Colette Fagan thanks all those involved in preparing the University’s return to the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 which was submitted on Wednesday, 24 March

REF 2021 submission

The REF is the UK’s system for assessing the quality of research across all disciplines in UK higher education institutions.

The REF is crucially important, both as a benchmark of our research performance and reputation compared to other Higher Education institutions, and for our public research funding. The results will drive the UKRI quality-related funding allocations over the next few years.

The University’s REF2021 return is one of the largest across the sector with over 2,400 eligible staff across 31 Units of Assessment; together submitting 5,200 different outputs, 160 impact case studies and almost 350,000 words across 32 narrative statements (including the University institutional statement).

Professor Colette Fagan, Vice-President for Research, said: “I want to thank everyone who has been involved in preparing our REF submission over the past few year. This has been an immense exercise of reviewing, re-reviewing, drafting, revising and data checking.

"It is only through the hard and conscientious work, great ideas, determination, skill and good humour from all involved that we were able to submit our large and detailed return despite the additional challenge of working from home over the last 12 months. I am grateful for everyone’s effort pulling together and am proud of the quality of our submission.

"Through our REF preparations we are reminded of the quality of our research outputs, impact and environment. Our submission is only as strong as the excellent research produced by our academics, research and technical staff and postgraduate researchers during the REF assessment period. REF does not drive our research or our research strategy but it is an important national evaluation which affects our research funding and our national and international standing.”

The REF return details our research from 2014-2020, including:  

  • 2,400 REF-eligible current and former staff;
  • 5,200 research outputs ranging across journal articles, books, compositions, exhibitions and datasets;
  • Evidence of the significant impact that our research has on the world around us.  Our research has benefitted the economy, society, culture, public policy, our health, the environment and our quality of life. Across our 160 Impact Case Studies over 30% report health impact, 23% economic and commercial, 24% policy, ~20% include public engagement or cultural impact, and 94% map to at least one on the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals;
  • A University-level institutional statement outlining our mission, our strategy for enabling research and impact, our people and facilities; and environment statements for each of our 31 units of assessment;
  • The data which underpins our research environment, including details about our research doctoral student cohort and record of external research income;

All REF Submissions will be assessed by the REF panels during the period of May 2021 to March 2022. The results are expected in April 2022 and will inform UKRI quality-related funding allocations from the academic year 2022-23.