Research Excellence Framework

Published 15/12/2020   |   Last Updated 31/03/2021   |   Reading Time minutes

The Senedd and the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021

The UK Research Excellence Framework(REF) is a process of expert review that evaluates the quality of research in UK higher education institutions.

The four UK legislatures have worked together to inform the development of guidance and assessment criteria for the REF 2021. This aims to make sure the four UK higher education funding bodies and REF panel members have a clear understanding of what impact means for parliaments and assemblies across the UK.

We produced a Briefing Note providing an overview of research impact in legislatures. Key messages from this briefing feature in the guidance on submissions and panel criteria published in 2019 by the four UK higher education funding bodies.