The publication of the results of the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 - a discipline-based expert review process of evaluating research activity – show that DHPA has maintained its strong position for research quality. As in the rest of the University, a wide and inclusive breath of research was submitted, reflecting all areas of strength.
Divinity was ranked 1st in the UK for overall quality of research. 54% of the research outputs in Divinity were rated as world-leading and 40% as internationally excellent, in terms of the originality, significance and rigour of peer-reviewed articles and monographs. That means more than half of the submitted outputs were outstandingly novel and transformative, having a profound influence in relevant areas. Moreover, in Divinity 75% of the impact of published research and 90% of the research environment have been recognised as world-leading. That is a truly outstanding achievement by our colleagues in Divinity.
History (combined with Art History) has also performed very well. No less than 63% of the research outputs were assessed as either world-leading or internationally excellent. And the research environment was recognised as incredibly strong in that 40% was considered as world-leading and 50% as internationally excellent. Likewise, in Philosophy 63% of the research outputs were rated as either world-leading or internationally excellent, and 88% of the research environment as internationally excellent.