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The REF was first carried out in 2014, replacing the previous Research Assessment Exercise. Read the results of our 2014 submission.
The funding bodies’ shared policy aim for research assessment is to secure the continuation of a world-class, dynamic and responsive research base across the full academic spectrum within UK higher education. UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) expect that this will be achieved through the threefold purpose of the REF:
The REF is a process of expert review, carried out by expert panels for each of the 34 subject-based units of assessment (UOAs), under the guidance of four main panels.
For each submission there are three distinct elements assessed:
The University’s REF2021 Code of Practice has been developed following a University-wide consultation with staff and sets out the processes for determining:
Download the approved REF2021 Code of Practice (.pdf).
This document sets out what personal data is stored when submitting Impact Case Studies. Download the Data Collection Statement – REF 2021 Impact Case Studies (.pdf).
Further information about our preparations for the submission are available on the Research pages of My Sunderland (password protected).
Contact: REF@sunderland.ac.uk