Research Excellence Framework 2021: delivering research impact
Find out more about the Research Excellence Framework

Classification | Overall quality profile description |
---|---|
4* | World-leading in terms of originality, significance and rigour |
3* | Internationally excellent in terms of originality, significance and rigour but which nonetheless falls short of the highest standards of excellence |
2* | Recognised internationally in terms of originality, significance and rigour |
1* | Recognised nationally in terms of originality, significance and rigour |
U/C Unclassified | Work not meeting published definition of research for the purposes of the REF or which falls below national standards |
Output
Makes up 60% of the assessment and consists of outputs produced by the University during the assessment period (1 January 2014 to 31 December 2020). They will be assessed for the quality in terms of their ‘originality, significance and rigour’, with reference to international research quality standards. The total number of outputs must equal 2.5 times the summed FTE of the unit’s submitted staff.
Environment
This makes up 15% of the assessment and describes the environment we have to support our research. This includes research strategy, staff development and support for PGRs, collaboration both inside and outside academia and equality and diversity. It also includes data on research income and post-graduate degrees awarded. This will be assessed in terms of its ‘vitality and sustainability’, including the approach to enabling impact from its research, and its contribution to the vitality and sustainability of the wider discipline or research base related to the period 1 August 2013 to 31 July 2020.
Impact
Makes up 25% of the assessment and consists of case studies detailing the benefits from our research. They will be will assessed for the ‘reach and significance’ of impacts on the economy, society, culture, public policy or services, health, the environment or quality of life that were underpinned by excellent research conducted in the submitted unit. The impact stays with the institution where the research was carried out, i.e. it does not move with the member of staff. Case studies describing specific examples of impacts achieved during the assessment period (1 August 2013 to 31 July 2020), underpinned by excellent research in the period 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2020.