The University has made its largest ever submission to a research assessment exercise, returning 1113 full-time equivalent staff to the Research Excellence Framework 2014, fifteen more than the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise. The submission to 26 UoAs (Unit of Assessment), runs to 3300 pages and includes 130 Impact Case Studies which demonstrate how the University has benefited society and changed the world for the better. Across the sector, 155 institutions submitted the research of 52,077 staff for assessment in REF 2014 compared to 52,401 staff in RAE 2008.
Celebrating with a photo-call in the Turner Sims Concert Hall, the Vice-Chancellor paid tribute to everyone who had contributed to a submission of the highest academic standards. The culmination of more than 5 years planning and preparation, the submission benefitted from the direct involvement of more than 350 people across the University, not to mention research staff whose 4180 journal articles, books, music and art portfolios form a major component.
Describing the exercise as a “massive undertaking”, PVC Professor Philip Nelson, who led the University’s preparations, added, “I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has been involved. I am particularly grateful to our Associate Deans for all the support they have given me personally; without exception, their commitment to the task has been unfailing. I would also like to thank our UoA Champions, authors and reviewers of environment templates, impact templates and impact case studies for the huge amount of work and attention to detail involved. The professionalism with which these tasks have been tackled is clearly evident in our submission. These preparations have also been supported magnificently by numerous staff in our professional services ranging from those based in the Faculties, to the e-Prints team, HR Systems team, colleagues in iSolutions and the University “REF Team” of Peter Staniczenko, Peter Atkinson and David Steynor who have helped to bring this stage of our REF journey to a timely and successful conclusion”.
The results published in December 2014 will determine the allocation of more than £1 billion annual funding to universities from academic year 2015-16.