REF 2014

About the Research Excellence Framework (REF)

In March 2006 the government announced that RAE 2008 would be the last research assessment exercise in the current form. RAE will be replaced by the Research Excellence Framework (REF). REF will be managed by HEFCE (the Higher Education Funding Council for England) on behalf of the four UK higher education funding councils.

The REF is a peer review review process to assess the quality of research activity in UK Higher Education Institutions. Research activity will be reviewed across 36 Units of Assessment (UoAs) and UoA panels, comprising experts in each disciplinary area, will assess submissions and assign a “quality profile”.

A REF submission will have three elements:

Outputs: Each panel will assess the “originality, rigour and significance” of the submitted research outputs, with reference to international quality standards. Some panels may use citation to inform this process. This element carries a weighting of 65 per cent.

Impact: This is a new development as impact was not assessed by the previous RAE. The panels will assess the “reach and significance” of impacts on the economy, society and/or culture that were underpinned by excellent research undertaken by the UoA since 1993, as well as the the submitted UoA’s approach to enabling impact from its research. This element carries a weighting of 20 per cent.

Environment: The panels will assess the research environment in terms of its “vitality and sustainability”. There is no longer a separate assessment of esteem indicators. Equality and staff development measures should also be considered within Environment. This element carries a weighting of 15 per cent.

If you would like to know where the University is in the REF 2014 submission process you can find the presentation slides from the REF Update Event held on 21 January 2013 below;

For a good introduction to the REF, please see the HEFCE presentation which explains the differences between the REF and RAE, the data gathered for a submission and some basic criteria.

There are four Main REF Panels overseeing the expert review conducted by 36 sub-panels. To find out more about Panel Membership please consult the Hefce website at: http://www.hefce.ac.uk/research/ref/panels

HEFCE have now issued the final Panel Criteria and Working Methods, these give a comprehensive description of the information required in each submission and how it will be assessed.

If you are unsure about your eligibility as an Early Career Researcher for the REF. Please refer to this summary of HEFCE guidlines for ECR's.