The Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 aims to assess the quality of research and inform resource allocation through metrics including outputs (60%), impact (25%), and environment (15%). Key changes include mandatory submissions from all significant research staff and an increased focus on research impact. To be 'REF-ready', researchers should produce quality work, engage in strategic discussions about publishing, and clearly articulate their research's significance and impact.

1. The Research Excellence Framework 2021:
what you need to know…
Steve Miles,
Head of PAHC

2. What is the REF designed to do…?
• To provide accountability for public investment in research;
• To provide benchmarking information so research quality can be compared
across subject areas and universities;
• To inform the allocation of resources. In other words the government
distributes funding on the basis of what is achieved in the REF (otherwise
known as QR funding).

3. Full listing of all units of assessment (UoA)
Main panel Unit of assessment
A 1 Clinical Medicine
2 Public Health, Health Services and Primary Care
3 Allied Health Professions, Dentistry, Nursing and Pharmacy
4 Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience
5 Biological Sciences
6 Agriculture, Veterinary and Food Science
B 7 Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences
8 Chemistry
9 Physics
10 Mathematical Sciences
11 Computer Science and Informatics
12 Aeronautical, Mechanical, Chemical and Manufacturing Engineering
13 Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Metallurgy and Materials
14 Civil and Construction Engineering
15 General Engineering
C 16 Architecture, Built Environment and Planning
17 Geography, Environmental Studies and Archaeology
18 Economics and Econometrics
19 Business and Management Studies
20 Law
21 Politics and International Studies
22 Social Work and Social Policy
23 Sociology
24 Anthropology and Development Studies
25 Education
26 Sport and Exercise Sciences, Leisure and Tourism
D 27 Area Studies
28 Modern Languages and Linguistics
29 English Language and Literature
30 History
31 Classics
32 Philosophy
33 Theology and Religious Studies
34 Art and Design: History, Practice and Theory
35 Music, Drama, Dance and Performing Arts
36 Communication, Cultural and Media Studies, Library and Information Management

4. What are the key components of the REF?
1) Outputs – accounting for 60% (previously 65%) of the assessment and including
all outputs produced 1st Jan 2014 – 31st December 2020;
2) Impact - accounting for 25% of the assessment + consisting of case studies
detailing, broadly, the real world benefits of key research specialisms over time. The
number of Impact Case Studies submitted = 1 for every 10 members of staff;
3) Environment 15% - describes the environment that supports research including
research strategy, staff development, support for Postgraduate Research,
collaboration inside and outside of academia, plus equality and diversity.

5. Key changes to REF 2021
• All those “with a significant responsibility for research” must be included;
• Staff must submit 1 to 5 outputs;
• An increased emphasis on Impact.

6. REF as a political quagmire
• Institutional REF strategies and teaching only contracts;
• Big Brother may or may not be watching you;
• Pre-REF exercise and reviews;
• Deciding which UoAs get submitted;
• Telling a post-REF story;
• Publishing strategically.

7. How you can be “REF-ready” in the future…
• Produce quality work, but think where might be the best place for it. Aim high!
• Talk about where you might publish with your supervisor and then later your
colleagues;
• Ensure your work is on your institution’s repository (once appointed);
• Present yourself at interview as REF-savvy and as a strategic researcher with 3 and
4* outputs – know the lingo!
• Have a narrative around your research (which also touches upon research-led
teaching) and one that ideally includes academic and non-academic impact;
• Pay careful attention to the tone of your work and situate it appropriately and
with confidence.

9. What constitutes original research?
Original research findings can vary by type more than you think
• research reports
• Practice
• evidence synthesis, including systematic reviews, analyses, meta-analyses, meta-
syntheses
• review articles that add significant new perspective in a way that is paradigm-changing
• research-based case studies that add new knowledge or understanding
• methodological and theoretical work
• technology appraisals.
There is NO SUCH THING AS A 4* JOURNAL
• Impact factors or journals don’t matter, and are not used by REF panels.
• Despite this everyone knows what the strong journals in a particular field are so it is
more likely that work in a high-quality journal is going to be rated 3 and 4*

10. What to avoid…..
Avoid indications of ‘lightweight’ research
• Phrases like “pilot study” or “small study” are likely to be marked down
• “Based on my PhD”… seen as initial training!!!
Provide appropriate contextualization
• “This is the first study to…”
• “This is the largest and most detailed investigation of”
• Ensure that any literature review draws on genuine evidence base including international papers if
relevant
Avoid methodological claptrap
• Avoid too much philosophical noodling in the qualitative approaches – get to the results
• Be careful with Grounded Theory
• Present and exploit data properly; emphasise strong ‘samples’
Be direct – it’s all about the contribution and making that explicit!!!