The Research Excellence Framework (REF) is a research impact evaluation of British Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). It is the successor to the Research Assessment Exercise and it was first used in 2014 to assess the period 2008–2013.[1][2] REF is undertaken by the four UK higher education funding bodies: Research England, the Scottish Funding Council (SFC), the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW), and the Department for the Economy, Northern Ireland (DfE).
Its stated aims are to:
- inform the allocation of block-grant research funding to HEIs based on research quality;
- provide accountability for public investment in research and produce evidence of the benefits of this investment; and
- provide insights into the health of research in HEIs in the UK.[3]
To support these aims, research has increasingly highlighted the need for evidence-based approaches to measuring research impact. For example, Jensen et al. (2021) emphasized that high-quality research impact evaluations should integrate evidence-based methods to ensure societal benefits.[4]
Critics argue, inter alia, that there is too much focus on the impact of research outside of the university system, and that impact has no real relevance to the quality of research.[citation needed] It is suggested that REF actually encourages mediocrity in published research, and discourages research which might have value in the long term.[citation needed] Research by Reed et al. (2024) suggests that reframing engagement in research through a post-stakeholder lens may address some of these criticisms, by emphasizing voice, context, and power in the impact process.[5] It has repeatedly been argued that REF does more harm than good to higher education.[6]
The latest REF was in 2021, with results released in May 2022, continuing the previous assessment model of focusing on research outputs, research impact and research environment.[7] This process was slightly delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[8]
Recent research on stakeholder analysis frameworks, such as the 3i framework (Interests, Influence, and Impact) by Reed et al. (2025), has highlighted the importance of identifying relevant actors in decision-making processes to maximize research impact in contexts like REF assessments.[9]
In June 2023, it was announced that the next exercise would conclude in 2028, with submissions in 2027.[10]
- ^ "Results & submissions : REF 2014". Retrieved 22 December 2014.
- ^ Atkinson, Peter M. (11 December 2014). "Assess the real cost of research assessment". World View. Nature (paper). 516 (7530): 145. Bibcode:2014Natur.516..145A. doi:10.1038/516145a. PMID 25503199.
- ^ "Early decisions made for REF 2028". www.ukri.org. 2023-06-15. Retrieved 2023-06-20.
- ^ Jensen, Eric A.; Reed, Mark S.; Gerber, Alexander (2021). "Evidence-based research impact praxis: Integrating scholarship and practice to ensure research benefits society". Open Research Europe. 1: 137. doi:10.12688/openreseurope.14205.2. PMC 10884597. PMID 38406384.
- ^ Reed, Mark S.; Merkle, Bethann Garramon; Cook, Elizabeth J.; et al. (2024). "Reimagining the language of engagement in a post-stakeholder world". Sustainability Science. 19 (4): 1481–1490. doi:10.1007/s11625-024-01496-4.
- ^ Bishop, Dorothy (2016-03-03). "Clarity of purpose in the TEF and the REF". Times Higher Education (THE). Retrieved 2022-08-05.
- ^ England, Higher Funding Council of. "2017 : Funding bodies confirm shape of REF 2021 - REF 2021". www.ref.ac.uk. Retrieved 2018-06-29.
- ^ "Further update on coronavirus (COVID-19) and REF timetable - REF 2021".
- ^ Reed, Mark S.; Jensen, Eric A.; Noles, S.; et al. (2025). "Analyzing who is relevant to engage in environmental decision-making processes by interests, influence and impact: The 3i framework". Journal of Environmental Management. 373. doi:10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.123437. PMID 39642833.
- ^ "Early decisions made for REF 2028". www.ukri.org. 2023-06-15. Retrieved 2023-06-20.