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Researchers in the Faculty of Arts, Humanities, and Business are actively engaged with stakeholders outside the University context, to contribute to meaningful and tangible benefits for people, the environment, and communities.

Through a comprehensive structure of impact and engagement support, which encompasses The Bridge Team, our policy forum and toolkit, and partnerships with the University’s three research Institutes, our researchers are facilitated to collaborate with an extensive range of organisations, stakeholders, networks, and publics, in diverse, embedded and innovative ways.

From the local level here in the city of Plymouth and on the South West Peninsula, to national and international contexts, these collaborations enable our research to be instrumental in establishing the opportunities and means through which enriched cultures, healthier lives, and equitable futures can flourish.

Meet our pioneering researchers

We have a proud reputation for world-leading research that is truly international, interdisciplinary, and above all, impactful. About Plymouth Pioneers.

Delivering impact: REF 2021

The Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Business submitted nine Units of Assessment (UoA) to the Research Excellence Framework 2021 exercise, comprising a total of 145.8 FTE staff, 20 impact case studies and 365 outputs, which for our faculty varies from books and journal articles to creative practice outputs.
Staff were submitted to the following UoAs:
  • UoA 13: Architecture, Built Environment and Planning
  • UoA 17: Business and Management Studies
  • UoA 18: Law
  • UoA 20: Social Work and Social Policy
  • UoA 23: Education
  • UoA 27: English Language and Literature
  • UoA 28: History
  • UoA 32: Art and Design: History, Practice and Theory
  • UoA 33: Music, Drama, Dance, Performing Arts, Film and Screen Studies
Visit the REF website for detailed results.
Results highlight
  • Architecture was ranked 7th for outputs and 12th for impact
  • Social Policy and Social Work was ranked 8th on impact with 75% at 4*
  • Education was ranked 20th on impact with 67% at 4*
  • English was ranked 10th on impact and 24th overall, with 75% of impact at 4*
  • 100% impact at 3 and 4* was achieved in Architecture, Social Work and Social Policy, English, History, and Music, Drama, Dance, Performing Arts.
  • Our units performed strongly on outputs: 
    36% 4* in Architecture, 19% 4* in Business and Management Studies; 35% 4* in Law; 32% 4* in Social Work and Social Policy; 22% 4* in Education, 47% 4* in English, 31% 4* in History, 22% 4* in Art and Design, and 35% 4* in Music and Drama. 
  • In environment Music, Drama, Dance, Performing Arts scored 45% at 4*, and History scored 25% at 4*.

Research, impact and knowledge exchange

Knowledge Exchange (KE) and research activities are strongly interconnected. Researchers within the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Business are supported by professional colleagues who are able to help them:
  • understand how to integrate KE activities within their research project plans to drive impact
  • develop new partnerships and collaborations
  • develop their approach to making meaningful change from their research
  • translate their research and KE activities into REF Impact and vice versa
  • identify funding opportunities
  • develop high quality funding applications. 
The Bridge drives Knowledge Exchange, Impact and Placemaking initiatives for the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Business.