Ref 2021 Research Excellence Framework Results Times Higher

Leo Migdal

-Dec 14, 2025, 8:18 AM

ref 2021 research excellence framework results times higher

Although major players still dominate on research power, some large – and small – regional institutions have made their mark Greater weighting helps medical institutions in particular improve overall positions Main panel C records biggest increase in number of submissions and participating staff The latest iteration of the UK’s national research audit has fulfilled its aim to identify research quality across the whole system, says David Sweeney While new technologies seen as ‘game changer’ for national-level research assessment, study finds vehement opposition, particularly among humanities scholars The Research Excellence Framework (REF) is a research impact evaluation of British Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).

It is the successor to the Research Assessment Exercise and it was first used in 2014 to assess the period 2008–2013.[1][2] REF is undertaken by the four UK higher education funding bodies: Research England,... To support these aims, research has increasingly highlighted the need for evidence-based approaches to measuring research impact. For example, Jensen et al. (2021) emphasized that high-quality research impact evaluations should integrate evidence-based methods to ensure societal benefits.[4] Critics argue, inter alia, that there is too much focus on the impact of research outside of the university system, and that impact has no real relevance to the quality of research.[citation needed] It... (2024) suggests that reframing engagement in research through a post-stakeholder lens may address some of these criticisms, by emphasizing voice, context, and power in the impact process.[5] It has repeatedly been argued that REF...

The latest REF was in 2021, with results released in May 2022, continuing the previous assessment model of focusing on research outputs, research impact and research environment.[7] This process was slightly delayed because of... Recent research on stakeholder analysis frameworks, such as the 3i framework (Interests, Influence, and Impact) by Reed et al. (2025), has highlighted the importance of identifying relevant actors in decision-making processes to maximize research impact in contexts like REF assessments.[9] Four in five outputs judged to be either ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’ Although major players still dominate on research power, some large – and small – regional institutions have made their mark Greater weighting helps medical institutions in particular improve overall positions

The latest iteration of the UK’s national research audit has fulfilled its aim to identify research quality across the whole system, says David Sweeney While new technologies seen as ‘game changer’ for national-level research assessment, study finds vehement opposition, particularly among humanities scholars The REF website uses cookies to make the site more efficient. Find out more about cookies and how we use them. document.write('<span class="close" title="Close">x<\/span>'); Detailed guidance on the REF 2021 results.

The information on this page provides a guide to the results of the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF), published on 12 May 2022. The following material is available, or is forthcoming soon, on the REF website: The REF is the system for assessing the quality of research in higher education institutions (HEIs). It was first conducted in 2014 and replaced the previous Research Assessment Exercise (RAE). The University of Manchester's position as a research powerhouse has been confirmed in the results of the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF). These comprehensive and independent results confirm Manchester's place as a global powerhouse of research.

The Research Excellence Framework (REF) is the system for assessing the quality of research in UK higher education institutions. Manchester made one of the largest and broadest REF submissions in the UK, entering 2,249 eligible researchers across 31 subject areas. The evaluation encompasses the quality of research impact, the research environment, research publications and other outputs. Overall, 93% of the University’s research activity was assessed as ‘world-leading’ (4*) or ‘internationally excellent’ (3*). The evaluation encompasses the quality of research impact (96% 3* or 4*), the research environment (99% 3* or 4*), research publications and other outputs (90% were 3* or 4*). The results of the 2021 Research Excellence Framework were released early this morning by the UK funding bodies.

We are delighted to report that almost all aspects of our overall submission (96%) were deemed internationally excellent or above, with 61% considered world leading (4*). The Times Higher Education has published rankings which place us first for ‘research power’ in English It is a huge pleasure to see the quality and range of our research and creative writing in English recognised, and to be able to showcase and celebrate some of the many and various... Professor Marion Turner, Chair of the Faculty Board said: "Our excellent results are testament to the extraordinary creativity, innovation, and hard work of our Faculty members. Our Faculty fosters and encourages a wide range of work: our members publish books extending from scholarly editions to modern poetry, on topics ranging from biography to postcolonial poetics. We also work with schools, theatre companies, museums, medical professionals, and many other partners to harness the power of what literature can do in the world."

We are grateful to every member of the English Faculty who helped support the submission of our research to the REF, especially those who led or contributed to Impact Case Studies including Professor Sally... The Research Excellence Framework (REF) is a UK-wide assessment of the quality of research in universities undertaken by expert review panels. Read our statement on our REF 2021 results to find out more about why REF is so significant. * The REF exercise is a measure of research quality. The rankings within this listing are based on Grade Point Average (GPA) unless otherwise identified. Some rankings are listed excluding single or specialist institutions who returned in fewer than three Units of Assessment.

A full breakdown of the results according to the REF units of assessment is shown in the table below.1 ¹ REF is a subject based exercise, and Units of Assessment do not directly map to departments. Figures here are therefore allocated based on the majority contributing department. While new technologies seen as ‘game changer’ for national-level research assessment, study finds vehement opposition, particularly among humanities scholars The Research Excellence Framework has been postponed for three months ‘to take stock and ensure alignment with the UK government’s priorities and vision for higher education’. But how radical should the changes be?

Should there be any at all? Is it time to start again? We present five very different views Breaking the link between researchers and their outputs harms academic mobility and disciplinary excellence, argue professors Three-month review of Research Excellence Framework could trigger more radical rethink on institutional priorities and spending, sector figures warn

Ref 2021 Research Excellence Framework Results Times Higher

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