The Research Excellence Framework (“REF”) is the mechanism used to assess the quality of research in UK higher education institutions, and its results are used to inform research funding.
The REF is the new system for assessing the quality of research in UK higher education institutions (HEIs). It replaces the Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) and will be completed in 2014.
The REF will be undertaken by the four UK higher education funding bodies. The exercise will be managed by the REF Team based at HEFCE and overseen by the REF Steering Group, consisting of representatives of the four funding bodies. The primary purpose of the REF is to produce assessment outcomes for each submission made by institutions:
The funding bodies intend to use the assessment outcomes to inform the selective allocation of their research funding to HEIs, with effect from 2015-16.
The assessment provides accountability for public investment in research and produces evidence of the benefits of this investmentThe assessment outcomes provide benchmarking information and establish reputational yardsticks.
The REF is a process of expert review. HEIs will be invited to make submissions in 36 units of assessment (UoA). Submissions will be assessed by an expert sub-panel for each unit of assessment, working under the guidance of four main panels. Sub-panels will apply a set of generic assessment criteria and level definitions to produce an overall quality profile for each submission.
REF Code of Practice
The University's REF Code of Practice, which governs our preparation of the submission and the selection of eligible staff, has now been approved by the HEFCE.
All staff involved in REF preparations should read the Code of Practice in full.
Sussex REF Code of Practice (pdf)
REF Team
Contact the REF Team at ref@sussex.ac.uk for all external and internal queries relating to the University's preparations for the REF.
The REF Team is headed by Dominic Dean (REF Manager), who is responsible for co-ordinating both the central and School-based preparation of REF data and documents. The REF Team also handles the confidential individual circumstances disclosure process, ensuring that the University meets its obligations under the Code of Practice, the Equalities Act (2010) and the Data Protection Act (1998), in liaision with Human Resources and the University's legal advisors, Pinsent Masons LLP.