In response to the initial proposed changes to the Research Excellence Framework (REF), Vanessa Wilson CEO of University Alliance said:
“We welcome the initial proposed changes to the next Research Excellence Framework. In our consultation response to the Future Research Assessment Programme, we outlined concerns that REF would become a more frequent exercise. We are therefore delighted that REF will next be conducted in 2028. This brings a degree of stability to our research community and allows them to concentrate on what they do best: delivering high-quality, impactful research in partnership with industry.
We are also pleased to see that the definition of research excellence has been expanded, that the emphasis of research outputs has been shifted from individuals to institutions – and that anyone with links to an institution can now submit to REF, including teaching staff, technicians, or industry personnel.
We look forward to working with UKRI and Research England on the detail of these proposals going forward.”
