Research Excellence Framework

There is always more to a research question than the underpinning science. So work with the people you are studying, says Nicola Ray

The president of the University of Würzburg discusses the differences between the two systems, why he’s joined a European university alliance and the benefits of interdisciplinary working

But overall data on reclassification of staff does not show obvious impact on results

Lengthy statements on the research environment found in university departments are increasingly under scrutiny

The next exercise should clarify its purpose and language, relax its disciplinary focus and refine research culture, says James Wilsdon

Increased use of ‘team science’ may have been a major factor in latest REF scores, say experts, but this may be no bad thing

Experts debate whether erosion of dominance will prompt redrawing of funding criteria

Without practical teaching at their heart, many departments of music technology, drama and dance could face closure, says Ian Pace

James Wilsdon says he is open-minded about including more metrics in future research assessments

Northumbria’s REF 2021 results emphasise that growing research capability can benefit teaching, business and employment, says Andrew Wathey

Review to revisit conclusions of 2015’s The Metric Tide

Long-standing debates about what ‘research quality’ means make it obvious that the REF can be little more than make-believe, says Martyn Hammersley

The extent of research‘s cross-subsidisation by overseas student fees is too rarely understood by policymakers and academics alike, says Ruth Arnold

There is no evidence in art and design that the REF drives a wedge between research and students' interests, says Victoria Kelley

REF supremo David Sweeney and Manchester research lead Colette Fagan hit back at criticisms of measuring societal and economic contributions

University of Oxford leads education subject table based on GPA

The University of Cambridge claims top spot, with the London School of Economics dropping to fourth

London School of Economics tops economics and econometrics subject table based on GPA

University of Reading leads archaeology unit of assessment table based on GPA

Durham and Bristol tied at the top as King’s College London, Loughborough and Northumbria make gains

University of Cambridge leads architecture, built environment and planning unit of assessment table based on GPA

Imperial College London leads engineering subject table based on GPA

Oxford and Cambridge dominance in mathematics continues as Glasgow and Edinburgh improve standings

Imperial College London is in pole position after near-perfect scores while the University of Edinburgh tops research power standings

The University of Sheffield climbs to the top, while Manchester and Cambridge are second and third

University of Cambridge tops earth systems and environmental sciences table based on GPA

The University of Bristol came top for chemistry, with the University of Cambridge coming second

Queen’s University Belfast tops agriculture, food and veterinary sciences table based on GPA

The Institute of Cancer Research retained its place at the top, with the University of Dundee also staying second

King’s College London tops subject table for allied health professions, dentistry, nursing and pharmacy, based on GPA

Imperial College London climbs from seventh to first as Oxford falls to third

Imperial, Cambridge and Bristol all climb a place while Oxford drops from first to fourth

Leicester and Glasgow clinch spots among top five as Cambridge leads the chart, with Oxford first for research power

The REF may no longer be the only game in town, but it remains a dominant force in UK research. So as the REF 2021 results are released, is it still fit for purpose?

Main panel C records biggest increase in number of submissions and participating staff

Although major players still dominate on research power, some large – and small – regional institutions have made their mark

Four in five outputs judged to be either ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’

The latest iteration of the UK’s national research audit has fulfilled its aim to identify research quality across the whole system, says David Sweeney

Greater weighting helps medical institutions in particular improve overall positions

Medicine-focused institutions perform strongly on metric given weighting in latest round of Research Excellence Framework

The University of Oxford came top with Birkbeck also moving up the rankings

Imperial College London on top for key Research Excellence Framework performance metric focused on quality

LSE finishes on top again as Cardiff and Leicester repeat strong performances

‘Golden triangle’ institutions perform strongly on metric which accounts for 15 per cent of overall Research Excellence Framework scores

Queen Mary University of London tops ranking, with Royal Holloway and the University of Manchester joint second

UCL tops table for law as Kent, SOAS and Birmingham significantly improve their standings

How we analyse the results of the Research Excellence Framework

The University of Strathclyde tops the ranking, with Royal Holloway coming second

LSE tops the table with Bristol second and Oxford falling from first to sixth

Oxford and Cambridge rise up the table, replacing York and Manchester in the top two positions

London School of Economics leads in anthropology and development unit of assessment table

University of Exeter tops the table based on GPA

UCL leads area studies unit of assessment table based on GPA

York is out in front for modern languages and linguistics while Bristol and Nottingham move up

Newcastle University leads English language and literature subject table based on GPA

Kent, Leicester and University of East Anglia lead the quality rankings in history as Oxford and Cambridge exit top 10

King's College London tops rankings alongside the University of Manchester, while Warwick, Durham and Exeter excel

The University of Birmingham tops the ranking, with the universities of York and Kent climbing several places

University of Aberdeen tops table when ordered by GPA

Linking impact to funding is breeding mistrust, apathy and unrest. Researchers must be free to do the work they find most meaningful, says Mark Reed