Reform of Higher Education Research Assessment and Funding

In June 2006 the Department for Education and Skills (DFES) launched a consultation on the Reform of Higher Education Research Assessment and Funding.  Details of the consultation can be found below:

Research Assessment Exercise

The Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) is a periodic assessment, carried out every five to six years, of the quality of research taking place at UK Higher Education Institution's (HEIs). The purpose of the RAE is to produce quality profiles for each submission of research activity made by HEIs. The four higher education funding bodies then use these quality profiles to determine the distribution of public funds for research. The last three Research Assessment Exercises were carried out in 1996, 2001 and 2008.

In 2007, the Government announced that the 2008 RAE would be the last such exercise.  The replacement for the RAE would maximise the use of metrics to measure quality, with less emphasis on peer review.

Research Excellence Framework

Following consultations on the future of research assessment, HEFCE proposed the Research Excellence Framework (REF) to replace the RAE for the assessment and funding of research.

Click here for further details regarding development of the REF.

In November 2007 HEFCE launched the first consultation on the REF.  A response was made by the Strategic Planning Division in February 2008.  Details of the consultation can be found below

In September 2009 HEFCE launched the second consultation on the proposals for the way in which it will assess and fund research, known as the Research Excellence Framework (REF).  A response was made by the Strategic Planning Division in December 2009.  Details of the consultation can be found below:

 Following consultations on the future of research assessment, HEFCE proposed the Research Excellence Framework (REF) to replace the RAE for the assessment and funding of research.  Click here for further details of the previous consultations.

REF pilots

The College was one of 22 institutions selected to take part in the pilot of REF bibliometric indicators.  Click here for more information on the REF bibliometrics pilot.

The College was one of 29 institutions selected to take part in the pilot for assessing impact in the REF.  Click here for more information on the REF impact pilot.