The Research Excellence Framework (REF) is the system for assessing the quality of research in UK higher education institutions. The second REF will take place in 2021 (based on submissions being made by the deadline of 31 March 2021). Full details are available on the University’s REF website.

The University has drawn up a Code of Practice governing decisions relating to REF2021. It describes the processes the University has put in place for the identification of staff with significant responsibility for research; the determination of who is an independent researcher; and the selection of the highest quality research outputs.