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Consultation 2009
Proposals for all key aspects of the Research Excellence Framework.
Brief guide to the proposals
[ Download 'Brief guide to the proposals' as Adobe PDF 124K | Download 'Brief guide to the proposals' as MS Word 92K ]
Research Excellence Framework
The Research Excellence Framework (REF) is the new system for assessing the quality of research in UK higher education institutions (HEIs). In previous years, research quality has been assessed periodically through the Research Assessment Exercise (RAE).
We have consulted on proposals for the new framework. We will issue guidance on the REF in 2010 after analysing the consultation. The first REF exercise is due to be completed in 2013.
We are working in collaboration with the Scottish Funding Council, the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales, the Department for Employment and Learning (Northern Ireland), and with a wide range of stakeholders to develop the new framework. Representatives of the four funding councils sit on a steering group which oversees its development.
Assessing research quality
The REF will focus on three elements, which together reflect the key characteristics of research excellence. These are:
- Outputs
The primary focus of the REF will be to identify excellent research of all kinds. This will be assessed through a process of expert review, informed by citation information in subjects where robust data are available (for example, in medicine and science). - 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. 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 continuing flow of excellent research and its effective dissemination and application.
Consultation 2009
The consultation ran from 23 September to 16 December 2009. It set out proposals for all key aspects of the framework.
Brief guide to the proposals
[ Adobe PDF 124K | MS Word 92K ]
Further information
Last updated 23 December 2009