Research Excellence Framework

Research Excellence Framework
Name	Research Excellence Framework
Country	United Kingdom
Institution	Higher Education Funding Council for England
Purpose	Assess research quality in University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, and other Russell Group universities

Research Excellence Framework. The Research Excellence Framework is a system for assessing the quality of research in United Kingdom universities, including University of Edinburgh, University of Manchester, and University College London. It is conducted by the Higher Education Funding Council for England and is used to allocate funding to universities such as University of Bristol, University of Leeds, and University of Sheffield. The framework assesses the quality of research in various fields, including physics, biology, and chemistry, at institutions like Imperial College London and University of Warwick.

Introduction

The Research Excellence Framework is a key component of the United Kingdom's higher education system, influencing funding allocations to universities like University of Nottingham, University of Liverpool, and University of Birmingham. It evaluates the quality of research in a range of disciplines, from mathematics and computer science to social sciences and humanities, at institutions such as London School of Economics, University of Sussex, and University of Essex. The framework is used to inform funding decisions, with institutions like University of Glasgow, University of Aberdeen, and University of Dundee receiving funding based on their performance. This has significant implications for research in fields like medicine, engineering, and environmental science at University of York, University of Lancaster, and University of Newcastle upon Tyne.

History

The Research Excellence Framework has its roots in the Research Assessment Exercise, which was first conducted in 1986 by the University Grants Committee. This exercise was repeated in 1989, 1992, 1996, and 2001, with the Higher Education Funding Council for England taking over responsibility for the exercise in 2008. The Research Excellence Framework was introduced in 2014, with the first assessment taking place in 2014. This new framework was designed to assess the quality of research in universities like University of Reading, University of Surrey, and University of Kent, as well as the impact of this research on society, including fields like psychology, sociology, and economics at institutions like Goldsmiths, University of London and Queen Mary University of London.

Methodology

The Research Excellence Framework uses a combination of metrics to assess the quality of research, including the number of publications in top-tier journals like Nature, Science, and Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, as well as the amount of research funding secured from organizations like the Wellcome Trust, Medical Research Council, and Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council. The framework also assesses the impact of research on society, including the economy, environment, and public health, at institutions like University of Bath, University of Exeter, and University of Plymouth. This is done through the submission of impact case studies, which provide evidence of the impact of research in fields like business, law, and architecture at University of the Arts London and Royal College of Art.

Assessment Panels

The Research Excellence Framework uses a system of assessment panels to evaluate the quality of research in different disciplines, including panels for physics, biology, and chemistry, as well as panels for social sciences and humanities. These panels are composed of experts from universities like University of St Andrews, University of Strathclyde, and Heriot-Watt University, as well as from industry and government organizations like the Ministry of Defence and Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. The panels assess the quality of research in institutions like University of Huddersfield, University of Hull, and University of Lincoln, using a range of metrics, including the number of publications and the amount of research funding secured from organizations like the British Academy and Leverhulme Trust.

Impact and Outcomes

The Research Excellence Framework has a significant impact on the higher education sector in the United Kingdom, influencing funding allocations to universities like University of Central Lancashire, University of Bedfordshire, and University of Northampton. The framework also has implications for research in fields like medicine, engineering, and environmental science at institutions like University of the West of England, University of Gloucestershire, and University of Worcester. The outcomes of the framework are used to inform funding decisions, with institutions like University of Derby, University of Chester, and University of Chichester receiving funding based on their performance. This has significant implications for the economy, environment, and public health in the United Kingdom, with research in fields like business, law, and architecture at institutions like London Metropolitan University and University of East London.

Criticisms and Controversies

The Research Excellence Framework has been subject to a number of criticisms and controversies, including concerns about the impact of the framework on academic freedom and the quality of research in institutions like University of Bolton, University of Bournemouth, and University of Brighton. Some have argued that the framework creates a culture of competition among universities, which can lead to a focus on quantity over quality in fields like psychology, sociology, and economics at institutions like Goldsmiths, University of London and Queen Mary University of London. Others have raised concerns about the methodology used to assess the quality of research, including the use of metrics like the number of publications and the amount of research funding secured from organizations like the Wellcome Trust and Medical Research Council. Despite these criticisms, the Research Excellence Framework remains a key component of the United Kingdom's higher education system, influencing funding allocations to universities like University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, and other Russell Group universities.

Category:Research funding