Research Excellence Framework 2029

The Research Excellence Framework (REF) is the UK’s system for assessing the quality and impact of research undertaken by higher education institutions (HEIs). The exercise is conducted periodically across UK higher education and plays an important role in shaping the research funding environment. 

The REF is undertaken by the four UK higher education funding bodies: Research England, the Scottish Funding Council, the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales, and the Department for the Economy, Northern Ireland. The results are used to inform the allocation of research funding to UK universities, as well as providing evidence of the quality, impact and wider environment of research across the sector. 

Purpose and Objectives

• To inform research funding: REF outcomes contribute to decisions about the allocation of public research funding to UK higher education institutions. 
• To provide accountability: The REF demonstrates the quality and benefits of publicly funded research and provides assurance that research funding is being used effectively. 
• To provide benchmarking and transparency: REF results provide information that enables institutions and the wider sector to understand and benchmark the quality, impact and research environment of UK research. 

The latest completed exercise was REF 2021. Information and results from REF 2021 are available on the REF 2021 website. 

For REF 2029, research will be assessed across three broad areas that reflect different aspects of research excellence: 

1. Contribution to knowledge and understanding – assessing the quality of research outputs and their contribution to knowledge. 
2. Engagement and Impact – assessing the reach and significance of the impact and engagement arising from research. 
3. Strategy, People, and Research Environment – assessing the conditions and environment that support the development and delivery of high-quality research. 

The weighting and detailed assessment arrangements for REF 2029 are set out in the official REF guidance and should be referred to as the framework develops. 

Each participating university makes an institutional submission, which is organised into disciplinary areas known as Units of Assessment (UoAs). Submissions are assessed by panels of expert academic researchers and, where appropriate, experts from professional, public, private and third-sector organisations. 

The assessment is overseen by four Main Panels, broadly covering the following subject areas: 

• Main Panel A: Medicine, health and life sciences 
• Main Panel B: Physical sciences, engineering and mathematics 
• Main Panel C: Social sciences 
• Main Panel D: Arts and humanities 

The Main Panels oversee the assessment process and support the consistent application of the REF criteria and standards. They are supported by specialist advisory panels, including those focusing on equality, diversity and inclusion and interdisciplinary research. 

Further information about the REF, including the current REF 2029 framework and guidance, is available on the REF website. 

Ravensbourne University is preparing for REF 2029 through a programme of activity led by the REF Steering Committee, working across the University to support the development of our submission. 

As part of this preparation, Ravensbourne has developed a Code of Practice (CoP) for REF 2029. The CoP sets out the policies, principles and processes that will guide key REF-related decisions and activities across the University. 

Code of Practice 

The REF 2029 Code of Practice is a requirement for higher education institutions participating in the exercise. It provides a transparent framework for institutional decision-making and sets out how Ravensbourne will approach key aspects of the REF, including the identification of eligible staff and the selection of research outputs. 

The Code of Practice is intended not only to support compliance with REF requirements but also to promote fairness, transparency, consistency and confidence in the University's REF processes. 

For further information about REF 2029, please visit the REF website or contact the Knowledge Exchange & Research team at Ravensbourne University.