UK consults on new university research assessment framework

Image courtesy Imperial College London.

The Research Excellence Framework (REF) will replace the Research Assessment Exercise, which has been heavily criticised for favouring the elite institutions. However, the system is admired in many countries where the block grant system gives out funding regardless of quality.

The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) opened the consultation on REF, which it says aims to ensure the research sector “makes a major contribution to economic prosperity, national wellbeing and the expansion and dissemination of knowledge in return for the £1.76 billion” allocated each year by public funding bodies.

REF will be based on the evidence universities submit as evidence of their research activity and outcomes, which will be assessed by expert panels against three elements. These are:

• Outputs The primary focus of the REF will be to identify excellent research of all kinds, with the quality of research outputs being measured against international standards of excellence. Outputs will be assessed through a process of expert review and informed by citation information in subjects where robust data are available.

• Impact Significant additional recognition will be given where researchers build on excellent research to deliver demonstrable benefits to the economy, society, public policy, culture and quality of life. Such impacts will be assessed through a case study approach that will be tested in a pilot exercise.

• Environment The REF will take account of the quality of the research environment in supporting a flow of excellent research and its effective dissemination and application. This will include, for example, the research strategy, staff development and training of postgraduate researchers, and engagement with research users and the public.

The consultation closes on Wednesday 16 December 2009. Following the consultation it is proposed that universities will submit the first portfolios of research under the scheme in 2012, for assessment in 2013. The results will be published in December 2013 and used to determine funding from 2014.

David Sweeney, HEFCE Director for Research, Innovation and Skills, said, “REF will recognise and reward excellent research and the sharing of new knowledge for the benefit of the economy and society. It will also ensure the effective allocation of public funds. It will encourage the productive interchange of research staff and ideas between higher education and business, government and other sectors.”