Independent report

Research Excellence Framework review

An independent review of university research funding by Lord Nicholas Stern.

• From: Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy
• Published: 28 July 2016
• Last updated: 31 December 2018 — See all updates

Documents

Research Excellence Framework (REF) review: Building on success and learning from experience

Ref: IND/16/9

PDF, 810 KB, 56 pages

Research Excellence Framework review: evidence report

PDF, 2.8 MB, 116 pages

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Details

This independent review makes recommendations on the future operation of the Research Excellence Framework (REF). The review examines how university research funding can be allocated more efficiently so that universities can focus on carrying out world-leading research.

The 2016 Evidence report, commissioned by BEIS and produced by Technopolis, provided evidence to support the REF review, covering:

• the context of the REF in the UK research system, its history, and changes to it over time
• the effectiveness of the REF, and its effects on the research process and research careers
• international practice and experience with similar forms of research assessment and funding
• the extent to which Research Information Systems (RIS) could be used to support the REF in future

Read the government response.

See the call for evidence and the summary of responses.

Published 28 July 2016
Last updated 31 December 2018 + show all updates

1. 31 December 2018

   Supporting evidence document published.

2. 28 July 2016

   First published.