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The Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 is a process of expert peer review for assessing the quality of research in UK higher education institutions.

The results of REF 2021 were published in May 2022. ²ÝÝ®ÉçÇø is recognised as a world-leading and internationally excellent research university.

Here are some key statistics relating to our submission to Units of Assessment (UoA) in REF 2021:

Research Income and Outputs

  • £14,011,894 total research income reported in the REF 2021 census period – an increase of 87% since REF 2014.
  • 194 research outputs selected from a pool of 1300 outputs.
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Staff and Submission Governance

  • 88 full-time equivalent staff submitted.
  • Submission governed by an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Code of Practice.
  • Female staff comprised 67% of REF 2021 submission.
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Units of Assessment (UoA) and Environment Statements

  • 7 interdisciplinary UoA submitted across 3 main disciplinary panels.
  • 7 UoA Research Environment Statements submitted.
  • 1 Institutional Level Research Environment Statement submitted.
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Impact, Policy and Research Degrees

  • 14 Impact Case Studies submitted underpinned by 140 items of corroborating evidence.
  • ²ÝÝ®ÉçÇø research was cited in 62 UK, 9 European and 17 international policy documents in the REF 2021 census period.
  • 126 research degrees awarded in the REF 2021 census period.
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Reach, Significance and Excellence

  • The reach and significance of our research has had an impact across 6 continents.
  • Excellence in our research impact shapes and influences culture, global challenges, business, public and international policy, health and the environment.
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International Collaboration

Our impact has included international collaboration with the Red Cross, World Health Organisations, European Commission, European Parliament, multiple NGOs, NATO, World Bank and Brazilian Government and Federal Police.

Research Impact - in the UK

In the UK our research has had an impact on the work of Creative Scotland | Arts Council of Wales | BACS Payments UK | Scottish Legal Complains Complaints Commission | UK and Scottish Government | House of Commons | Public Health Scotland | Scottish Refugee Council | Irish Health Service | Food Standards Agency | Scottish Trade Union Congress | Health Improvement Scotland | Department for International Development | Legal Ombudsman | Department of Work and Pensions | Scottish Public Sector Ombudsman | Family Business United and the Home Office.