Diversity and REF targets for Scotland’s universities

The Scottish Funding Council has reached agreement with individual higher education institutions on measures to increase the diversity of the Scottish workforce and secure high ratings in the Research Excellence Framework.

Through the funding council, the Scottish government has changed its relationship with colleges and universities to give them targets, or expected outcomes, to meet in return for funding. These expected outcomes negotiated between the funding council and individual institutions were published on 11 June.

For research, the funding council expects institutions to hit four targets: securing the highest possible ratings in the REF; increasing the diversity of the Scottish workforce in particular the proportion of female professors in science, engineering and technology; increasing the amount and share of funding from the research councils, the European Union and charities; and continuing to collaborate in research across Scotland.