REF 2014

Overview

The Research Excellence Framework (REF) is a peer review process to assess the quality of research activity at eligible UK Higher Education Institutions. REF replaces the Research Assessment Exercise (RAE). Performance in the REF will drive HEFCE quality-related research (QR) funding from 2015-16. QR is a very significant part of University income, worth around £100M to Oxford in 2009/10 against an overall research income total of around £480M.

Research activity will be reviewed across 36 Units of Assessment (UOA) such as Law, Modern Languages and Clinical Medicine. UOA panels will comprise experts in each field, and will assign a ‘quality profile’ to submissions from participating institutions.

Submissions will comprise three elements:

Outputs: The panels will assess the quality of submitted research outputs in terms of their ‘originality, significance and rigour’, with reference to international research quality standards. This element will carry a weighting of 65 per cent.

Impact: The sub-panels will assess the ‘reach and significance’ of impacts on the economy, society and/or culture that were underpinned by excellent research conducted in the submitted unit, as well as the submitted unit’s approach to enabling impact from its research. This element will carry a weighting of 20 per cent.

Environment: The sub-panels will assess the research environment in terms of its ‘vitality and sustainability’, including its contribution to the vitality and sustainability of the wider discipline or research base. This element will carry a weighting of 15 per cent.

See the HEFCE ‘Assessment Framework and Guidance on Submissions’ for more information.

Oxford’s preparations

The preparation of Oxford’s return is being overseen by the University Research Committee, chaired by the PVC for Research. Key to the overall production of each submission will be the part played by the UOA coordinator, a senior academic who will work in consultation with their colleagues and take responsibility for all aspects of the return. They will be supported by officers within the divisions, and central coordination is being handled by the Planning and Resource Allocation Section (PRAS).

Each divisional board (or a body nominated by them) is responsible for considering the returns from each coordinator as they are developed, and for recommending them to the University’s Research Committee.

Divisional and PRAS officers are available to offer advice and guidance in the preparation of the submissions. The lead officer in PRAS is Gillian Rendle gillian.rendle@admin.ox.ac.uk.

Code of Practice and Timetable

A Code of Practice setting out details of how individual staff will be selected for inclusion is required by the funding councils, following guidance provided in the Assessment Framework and Guidance on Submissions. This will be circulated to all staff during 2012. 

In order to review overall preparedness for the REF, the project board has agreed to carry out a ‘dry run’ of the exercise during 2012. During 2013 there will be the opportunity for two review meetings of overall progress. This will enable an element of peer review to occur within Oxford for all UOA.

Contacts

REF project manager: Gillian Rendle gillian.rendle@admin.ox.ac.uk

Divisional officers:

General enquiries:      ref@admin.ox.ac.uk   

Further information on REF 2014

HEFCE overview

HEFCE timetable

HEFCE Assessment Framework and Guidance on Submissions