Research Excellence Framework moves ahead

24 April 2008

HEFCE is moving forward with arrangements for the Research Excellence Framework (REF) following the announcement today by John Denham, Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills.

Two modifications are being made to the plans for implementing the REF, in response to the HEFCE consultation. An analysis of responses to the consultation is published today.

Firstly, the timetable for designing the new framework will be extended by 12 months to allow sufficient time for the development of this more flexible approach to the funding and assessment of research.

Secondly, within the REF's overarching framework, there will no longer be such a clear distinction between the arrangements for science-based subjects and those for all other subjects. For all subjects the assessment will include some combination of metrics-based indicators, including bibliometrics where appropriate, as well as input from expert panels.

Professor David Eastwood, Chief Executive of HEFCE, said:

'I warmly welcome this announcement by the Secretary of State which builds on the progress made over the past year and establishes a strong framework which we can now take forward, working closely with the higher education sector and other key bodies.'

The REF was announced in December 2006. It will consist of a single framework for the funding and assessment of research across all subjects. It will make greater use of quantitative indicators in the assessment of research quality than the present system, while taking account of key differences between the different disciplines. Assessment will use a combination of quantitative indicators, including bibliometrics, and light-touch expert review. Which of these elements are employed, and the balance between them, will vary as appropriate to each subject. The REF will be introduced after the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise.

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