Introduction to the Research Excellence Framework

• What is REF?

• Timetable

• REF consultation proposals

• Further information

What is REF?

Successor to the Research Assessment Exercise

• Benchmarking• Accountability• Informs allocation of “QR” funding £1.76

billion pa

Expert review of evidence submitted by institutions

Timetable

2009 HEFCE consultation - closes 16th Dec

Early 2010 High level outcome of consultation

2010 HEFCE establishes expert panels and publishes guidance to institutions

2012 Institutions make submissions

2013 Assessment and outcomes published

2014 Outcomes inform funding

REF Consultation Proposals

• Research “… a process of investigation leading to new insights effectively shared”

• Fewer, larger Units of Assessment with greater consistency of approach across them

• Institutions select staff for inclusion• Outputs(60%)• Environment(15%)• Impact (25%)• Outcome will be a profile (4* to Unclassified)

Outputs

• 3 or 4 per person submitted?

• Double-weighting - how defined?

• Use of bibliometrics in some areas

Environment

• Management

• Resourcing

• Engagement

Impact

• Pilot underway

• Assess at level of submitted unit

• Impact arising from excellent research

• Case studies – what is the impact, how did the unit contribute, evidence of underpinning research

• Impact statement – at level of submitted unit

Further information

HEFCE website for information on REF including the consultation

http://www.hefce.ac.uk/research/ref/resources/

http://www.hefce.ac.uk/pubs/hefce/2009/09_38/

Useful summary of REF Proposals:

http://www.hefce.ac.uk/research/ref/resources/REFguide.pdf