As part of wider COVID-19 contingency planning, on Tuesday 24 March 2020 Research England announced its decision to postpone the 2021 REF submission, which had originally been scheduled for November 2020.
A new submission date will be announced at least eight months before the new deadline. Adjustments to our University’s submission timetable are now under review.
Professor Mark Spearing, Vice-President (Research and Enterprise) said:
“I would like to whole-heartedly thank all the staff who have been working tirelessly to prepare our REF 2021 submission.
“We were in an excellent position in relation to the progress and quality of our submission and so, understandably, news of the postponement will have come as a disappointment to some. However, the postponement will also mean a relief of certain pressures upon numerous colleagues, a welcome development indeed in these fast-paced and trying times.
“Like so many other areas across our University, this new development will require us to come together and to adapt – a challenge that I know we will rise to meet admirably.”
Further internal information can be found on the Research and Innovation Services (RIS) SharePoint site and the REF 2021 SharePoint site.
Additional information on external REF contingency planning can be found here.
