This blog was written by Professor Simon Green, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research) at Aston University and a member of the Area Studies sub-panel both for REF 2014 and REF 2021.
Results day for the Research Excellence Framework (REF) is typically accompanied by two things. On the one hand, there is (understandable) jubilation amongst those institutions and departments who have done well. On the other hand, there is often widespread frustration with the administrative burdens and processes associated with this, including numerous suggestions for how things might be done differently. The publication of the results for REF 2021 was no different.
Of course, such criticisms are entirely legitimate when it comes to something as significant as the REF. Everyone has their bugbears about what is, after all, a highly complex system of assessment (institutional level environment statements, anyone?). But equally, we should not lose sight of some of the real positive changes that the current system, largely in response to the Stern Review, made.
