An in-depth look at the review of the Research Excellence Framework from Research Professional News
The UK’s mechanism for assessing research quality, the Research Excellence Framework, performs a vital function in the country’s research ecosystem. It is also one of its most oft-maligned initiatives.
The REF’s outcomes are used to distribute about £2 billion a year in public funding to universities and research institutes: a steady stream of income which underpins researcher salaries and internal competitions, as well plugging gaps between grant funding and the full cost of research.