Research Assessment Exercise (RAE)

The Research Assessment Exercise is a peer review exercise to evaluate the quality of research in UK higher education institutions. This assessment informs the selective distribution of funds for research by the UK higher education funding bodies.

RAE 2008

Results from RAE 2008 are available on the RAE 2008 web-site.

The primary purpose of the RAE 2008 is to produce quality profiles for each submission of research activity made by institutions. The main body of the assessment took place in 2007-08, with outcomes published by the funding bodies on 18 December 2008.

Information on previous RAEs, held in 2001, 1996, and 1992, is available on the RAE web-site.

Research assessment review

RAE 2008 follows a major review of research assessment that took place in 2002-03.

The review was commissioned by the four UK HE funding bodies and led by Sir Gareth Roberts, President of Wolfson College, Oxford. The final report of the review was issued in May 2003 with a joint consultation by the funding bodies (HEFCE 2003/22) on recommendations that related to the process of assessment.

For further information on the research assessment review see the RA Review web-site.

RAE 2008 has now been replaced with the Research Excellence Framework (REF) to be completed in 2014.

Page last updated 3 January 2012