The Research Excellence Framework (REF) is the new system for assessing the quality of research in UK higher education institutions (HEIs). It will replace the Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) and will be completed in 2014. The REF will be undertaken by the four UK higher education funding bodies. The exercise will be managed by the REF team based at HEFCE and overseen by the REF Steering Group, consisting of representatives of the four funding bodies.

The REF will:

• inform the selective allocation of research funding to HEIs
• provide benchmarking information and establish reputational yardsticks
• provide accountability for public investment in research and demonstrate its benefits.

The REF will be a process of expert review, informed by indicators where appropriate. Expert sub-panels for each of 36 units of assessment (UOAs) will carry out the assessment, working under the guidance of four broad main panels.

 Institutions will be invited to make submissions to each UOA, to be assessed in terms of:

• The quality of research outputs
• The wider impact of research
• The vitality of the research environment

Detailed guidance on REF submissions and assessment criteria have now been published as set out below:

Assessment Framework and Guidance on Submissions:

The four UK Higher Education funding bodies published a document in |July 2011 [REF 02.2011] which details the Assessment Framework and guidance on submissions for REF2014. The document:

• sets out the framework and generic criteria for assessment in the 2014 Research Excellence Framework (REF)
• specifies the content, data requirements and related definitions for submissions to the 2014 REF
• guides higher education institutions on policy and practical matters in preparing submissions.

The document can be accessed online.

REF Panel Criteria and Working Methods 

The four UK Funding Councils have announced the membership of the expert Main Panels and Sub Panels that will carry out the assessment in the Research Excellence Framework.  

Research Impact and  weightings of REF assessment elements

The four UK Funding Bodies have announced their decisions on Research impact and the weighting of the three elements in the assessment (outputs, impact and environment) .

1. In the REF there will be an explicit element to assess the 'impact' arising from excellent research, alongside the 'outputs' and 'environment' elements.
2. The assessment of impact will be based on expert review of case studies submitted by higher education institutions. Case studies may include any social, economic or cultural impact or benefit beyond academia that has taken place during the assessment period, and was underpinned by excellent research produced by the submitting institution within a given timeframe. Submissions will also include information about how the unit has supported and enabled impact during the assessment period.
3. A weighting of 25 per cent for impact would give due recognition to the economic and social benefits of excellent research. However, given that the impact assessment in the 2014 REF will still be developmental, the weighting of impact in the first exercise will be reduced to 20 per cent, with the intention of increasing this in subsequent exercises.
4. The assessment of research outputs will account for 65 per cent, and environment will account for 15 per cent, of the overall assessment outcomes in the 2014 REF. These weightings will apply to all units of assessment.

Further detailed guidance to institutions on preparing their submissions for the REF

The four UK Higher Education funding bodies have published a document which details the Assessment Framework and guidance on submissions for REF2014. The document:

• sets out the framework and generic criteria for assessment in the 2014 Research Excellence Framework (REF)
• specifies the content, data requirements and related definitions for submissions to the 2014 REF
• guides higher education institutions on policy and practical matters in preparing submissions.

The document can be accessed online.

The funding bodies have also published a document setting out the draft draft assessment criteria and working methods of the REF 2014 panels. A consultation on the proposed panel criteria and working methods has been launched and will close on Wednesday 5th October. The consultation document and a form for submitting a response can be accessed online.

The University will prepare a formal response to this consultation and contributions from all staff will be welcome. These should be sent internally to Professor John Marshall, Director Academic Research Development, who will be pleased to discuss any specific issues that may be identified as part of the consultation.