About REF

For each submission, three distinct elements are assessed: the quality of outputs (eg publications, performances, exhibitions), their impact beyond academia, and the environment that supports research.

The REF is a process of expert review, carried out by expert panels for each of the 34 subject-based units of assessment (UOAs), under the guidance of four main panels.

Expert panels are made up of senior academics, international members, and research users.

For each submission, three distinct elements are assessed: the quality of outputs (eg publications, performances, exhibitions), case studies on the impact of research beyond academia, and the environment that supports research.

Each part of the submission (outputs, impact case studies, environment submission) will be given a quality rating on a scale 1*-4*). 

The elements of each REF2021 submission will be given as weighting as follows:

• Outputs – 60%
• Impact – 25%
• Environment – 15%

The results will be published for each submission as an overall excellence profile, as well as three sub-profiles (reflecting the above elements) for each submission.

Quality-related (QR) research income is allocated on the basis of REF results, and they are also used to produce various league tables and rankings.

What is new for REF2021?

The major changes to the assessment were published in Initial Decisions on the Research Excellence Framework 2021 and Decisions on Staff and Outputs. 

Staff

Unlike REF2014, and previous RAE exercises, there will be no staff selection in REF2021; the funding bodies have decided to implement the recommendation of the Stern review that all staff with significant responsibility for research are returned to the REF, provided they are independent researchers. Eligibility criteria for submission have been defined in the Draft guidance on submissions. The University will develop and consult on a Code of Practice in late 2018, which will set out how this guidance will be implemented across the university.

Outputs

Outputs will be “decoupled” from the staff submitted for the first time; for each unit’s submission, 2.5 outputs are required per submitted staff FTE. A minimum of one, and a maximum of five, outputs will be attributed to each staff member. Arrangements will be put in place to allow staff to be returned without the required minimum of one output where certain exceptional individual circumstances have affected their ability to meet the requirement. The institutional Code of Practice will also set out how outputs will be selected and staff circumstances dealt with.
Outputs which have an ISSN (journal articles and conference proceedings) need to meet the REF Open Access policy. Please remember to “Act on Acceptance” to ensure these outputs are eligible for submission.

Impact

The weighting of impact in the overall assessment has been increased to 25%, but fewer case studies will generally be required for each UoA submission.

Environment

An institutional environment statement will be part of the assessment for the first time. Impact strategy and support will also be part of the research environment assessment.