Research Excellence Framework

1. Research Excellence Framework Jane Boggan Planning Division Research Staff Forum - January 2010

2. The proposed REF framework Outputs (60%) Impact (25%) Environment (15%) Quality of all types of research Economic, social, cultural and quality of life benefits Quality of the research environment Expert review of selected outputs (informed by citation information in appropriate UoAs) Case studies and narrative statement, supported by indicators Narrative supported by indicators Including ‘user significance’ where appropriate Including structures for user engagement

3. Definitions • Research: • ‘a process of investigation leading to new insights effectively shared’; • An ‘excellent’ submitted unit will be characterised by: • ‘Portfolio of high-quality, original and rigorous research’; • ‘impact beyond the discipline’, ‘effective sharing’, ‘benefits to economy & society’, ‘effective dissemination and application’, ‘engagement’, ‘applying findings’….

4. Assessment • Expert panels will continue; • Graded profiles and sub-profiles will remain; • Criteria and weightings of assessment to be consistent, as far as possible, across all panels.

5. Panels • 4 Main Panels (from 15 in 2008) broadly aligned to: A Biomedical B STEM C Social Sciences D Arts & Humanities

6. Sub Panels • 30 sub-panels reduced from 67 in 2008; • New subject descriptors rather than simply merging 2008 panels; • Issues with single/multiple submissions (eg: Pharmacy, Dentistry, Optometry & Nursing); • Use of “Associate Members”; • Feedback to the consultation means the configuration is likely to change.

7. Selection of Staff • “Academic Staff…whose primary employment function is research, teaching or both”; • Lower number of outputs would be acceptable where justified by personal circumstances; • Proportion of staff submitted will not be a factor in assessing quality.

8. Outputs • Expert review (informed by bibliometrics in some UoAs); • 4 outputs likely; • Inclusion of ‘grey literature’ cautiously welcomed; • Publication between 2008 - 2012

9. Impact • Broad definition – economic, social, public policy, cultural, and quality of life; • Will assess at the level of the Unit, in terms of Reach and Significance; • Reported impacts (evident during the REF period) can derive from research undertaken up to 15 years ago;

10. Impact Each unit will need to submit: • a single Impact Statement per submission • Case studies (1 per 5-10 FTEs) • Data against common set of indicators

11. Environment Standardised narrative at the level of the Unit, supported by indicators to cover: • Resourcing • Management • Engagement

12. Proposed Timetable

13. Where are we now? • Post RAE discussions with Schools: • Research management • Internal Peer Review • Research Award Targets & Success Rate data • Implementation of the Concordat • Infrastructural developments: • Strategic Investment Funds – Building Academic Excellence • Online Research @ Cardiff (ORCA) & I-Wire • Project Arian • Cardiff People • Engagement with REF Developments: • Impact Pilot • PVC Research on Russell Group REF Group • Russell Group RAE/REF Managers Group • Establishing REF Steering Group

14. Research Staff Forum How can the University support you in the preparations for the Research Excellence Framework?