Research Excellence Framework

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). The REF will be undertaken by the four UK higher education funding bodies, to:

• 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.

Through the REF, the UK funding bodies aim to develop and sustain a dynamic and internationally competitive research sector that makes a major contribution to economic prosperity, national wellbeing and the expansion and dissemination of knowledge.

The University's responses on the first and second consultations on the Research Excellence Framework are available on the Policy, Planning and Governance website.

Research Assessment Exercise 2008

In the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise, the majority of the research activity within the College was classed as either world leading or internationally excellent; 15% was judged to be world leading (4*); a further 41% internationally excellent (3*).

The College submitted in the following Unit of Assessments:

• UoA 17 Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences
• UoA 18 Chemistry
• UoA 20 Pure Mathematics
• UoA 23 Computer Science and Informatics
• UoA 25 General Engineering & Mining
• UoA 32 Geography & Environment

Full results of the above submissions are available on the RAE website.