Facilitating world-class research
The Research Excellence Framework (REF) is the UK’s system for assessing the quality of research in UK higher education institutions, and is run by the four funding bodies in the UK (led by Research England for England). It replaced the Research Assessment Exercise, and first took place in 2014. The next exercise will be conducted in 2021. Preparations have already begun for submission of assessment material (see timeline).
The funding bodies’ statement on the purpose of REF is that their "shared policy aim for research assessment is to secure the continuation of a world-class, dynamic and responsive research base across the full academic spectrum within UK higher education. We expect that this will be achieved through the threefold purpose of the REF:
REF result informs the allocation of Research England’s mainstream quality-related research (QR) funding. The University of Oxford currently receives c£80m per annum based on its performance in REF2014.
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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.
Main panel
Unit of assessment
A
1
Clinical Medicine
2
Public Health, Health Services and Primary Care
3
Allied Health Professions, Dentistry, Nursing and Pharmacy
4
Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience
5
Biological Sciences
6
Agriculture, Veterinary and Food Science
B
7
Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences
8
Chemistry
9
Physics
10
Mathematical Sciences
11
Computer Science and Informatics
12
Engineering
C
13
Architecture, Built Environment and Planning
14
Geography and Environmental Studies
15
Archaeology
16
Economics and Econometrics
17
Business and Management Studies
18
Law
19
Politics and International Studies
20
Social Work and Social Policy
21
Sociology
22
Anthropology and Development Studies
23
Education
24
Sport and Exercise Sciences, Leisure and Tourism
D
25
Area Studies
26
Modern Languages and Linguistics
27
English Language and Literature
28
History
29
Classics
30
Philosophy
31
Theology and Religious Studies
32
Art and Design: History, Practice and Theory
33
Music, Drama, Dance, Performing Arts, Film and Screen Studies
34
Communication, Cultural and Media Studies, Library and Information Management
Each part of the submission (outputs, impact case studies, environment submission) will be given a quality rating on a scale 1*-4*). Overall, these ratings mean:
Four star
Quality that is world-leading in terms of originality, significance and rigour.
Three star
Quality that is internationally excellent in terms of originality, significance and rigour but which falls short of the highest standards of excellence.
Two star
Quality that is recognised internationally in terms of originality, significance and rigour.
One star
Quality that is recognised nationally in terms of originality, significance and rigour.
Unclassified
Quality that falls below the standard of nationally recognised work. Or work which does not meet the published definition of research for the purposes of this assessment.
The elements of each REF2021 submission will be given as weighting as follows:
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.
The major changes to the assessment were published in Initial Decisions on the Research Excellence Framework 2021 and Decisions on Staff and Outputs.
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 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.
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.
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.
The timeline for REF 2021 has been revised. The new submission deadline is 31 March 2021. This will be reviewed by 6 November 2020, or sooner in the event of a further significant and sustained COVID-19 outbreak.
The funding bodies’ full published timeline is available in the Guidance on submissions. Notable dates include:
Summer 2018
January 2019
Spring 2019
2019
Late 2019
Exercise recommences
Census date for staff
End of assessment period (the research environment and data about research income and research doctoral degrees awarded)
End of publication period (cut-off point for publication of research outputs, and for outputs underpinning impact case studies)
End of impact assessment period
COVID-19 update
