Research Excellence Framework
Encyclopedia
The Research Excellence Framework is the successor to the Research Assessment Exercise
, a method of assessing the research of British higher education institutions. It is currently planned to take place in 2014 to assess research that has taken place during the period 2008–2013 inclusive.
(RAE), following the 2008 RAE. The following quote from the letter indicates some of the original motivation:
The letter also set out a timetable for the development of the REF. HEFCE undertook a consultation exercise during September-December 2009, soliciting responses from stakeholders on the proposals. These include for example the response from Universities UK and the response from the University and College Union
.
In July 2010 (following the May 2010 general election), the Universities and Science minister David Willetts
announced that the REF will be delayed by a year in order to assess the efficacy of the impact measure.
The Higher Education Funding Council for England
argue that their measure of "impact" is a broad one which will encompass impact upon the "economy, society, public policy, culture and the quality of life".
Research Assessment Exercise
The Research Assessment Exercise is an exercise undertaken approximately every 5 years on behalf of the four UK higher education funding councils to evaluate the quality of research undertaken by British higher education institutions...
, a method of assessing the research of British higher education institutions. It is currently planned to take place in 2014 to assess research that has taken place during the period 2008–2013 inclusive.
History
In June 2007 the Higher Education Funding Council for England issued a circular letter announcing that a new framework for assessing research quality in UK universities would replace the Research Assessment ExerciseResearch Assessment Exercise
The Research Assessment Exercise is an exercise undertaken approximately every 5 years on behalf of the four UK higher education funding councils to evaluate the quality of research undertaken by British higher education institutions...
(RAE), following the 2008 RAE. The following quote from the letter indicates some of the original motivation:
The letter also set out a timetable for the development of the REF. HEFCE undertook a consultation exercise during September-December 2009, soliciting responses from stakeholders on the proposals. These include for example the response from Universities UK and the response from the University and College Union
University and College Union
The University and College Union is a British trade union formed by the merger in 2006 of the Association of University Teachers and the National Association of Teachers in Further and Higher Education ....
.
In July 2010 (following the May 2010 general election), the Universities and Science minister David Willetts
David Willetts
David Linsay Willetts is a British Conservative Party politician and the Minister of State for Universities and Science. He is the Member of Parliament representing the constituency of Havant in Hampshire.-Education:...
announced that the REF will be delayed by a year in order to assess the efficacy of the impact measure.
Controversies
Criticism has focused on the element of the REF that addresses the "impact" of research. The articles below raise two objections. The main one is that "impact" has been defined to mean impact outside the academy. If researchers were required to pursue this form of impact, it would undermine academic freedom. The other is that impact - as currently construed - is hard to measure in any way that would be regarded as fair and impartial.The Higher Education Funding Council for England
Higher Education Funding Council for England
The Higher Education Funding Council for England is a non-departmental public body of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills in the United Kingdom, which has been responsible for the distribution of funding to Universities and Colleges of Higher and Further Education in England since...
argue that their measure of "impact" is a broad one which will encompass impact upon the "economy, society, public policy, culture and the quality of life".