REF 2014 Code of Practice

The University has developed a REF 2014 Code of Practice (698kb) which sets out the process to be followed by the University of Oxford for selecting staff for inclusion in its submission to the REF. It also provides information about how the submission will be coordinated, the timeline involved, the support structures available, and how individual circumstances will be managed.

Individual Circumstances

The research outputs produced by eligible staff between 1 January 2008 and 31 December 2013 will be considered for submission, and usually four research outputs must be listed against each member of staff included in the submission. However, the Funding Councils allow universities to recognise various equality and employment issues (e.g. disability, maternity, part-time working) that may constrain individuals from producing the required amount of suitable outputs during the assessment period. Where these circumstances have significantly constrained an individual’s ability to produce four outputs or to work productively throughout the assessment period, universities may submit a return for the individual with fewer than four outputs. The individual will need to disclose any such circumstances to the university and provide supporting evidence on request.

Disclosure for REF

All eligible staff have been invited to disclose any circumstances which have significantly constrained their ability to work productively. If you wish to disclose circumstances please download and return the REF 2014 Disclosure Form (46kb) . We recommend that you save this file before starting to complete it. Please return the form to REFequality@admin.ox.ac.uk or securely via Weblearn, or in person (see form for details).

If you did not receive a letter inviting you to disclose your circumstances but having read the Funding Councils guidance believe you are eligible for REF, please contact your relevant divisional officer.

REF Equality Committee

The University’s REF Equality Committee provides a forum for dealing with complex individual circumstances related to the REF in a consistent, and where necessary, confidential manner. Further information on the Committee can be found in the REF 2014 Equality Committee - Terms of Reference (379kb).