BU Research Blog

We have a series of externally-facilitated REF outputs workshops scheduled to take place in early 2018 as part of the RKE Development Framework. Each session is led by REF 2014 sub-panel member who will explain how the panel interpreted and applied the REF 2014 guidance when assessing the quality of outputs. The workshops are open to all academic staff to attend.

The expected learning outcomes from the workshops are for attendees to:

• Gain insight into how the REF panels applied the REF criteria when considering the significance, rigour and originality of outputs;
• Understand the differences between outputs scored 4*, 3*, 2*, 1* and Unclassified;
• Gain insight into what is meant by ‘world leading’ and ‘internationally excellent’;
• Understand how scores borderline cases were agreed and what the tipping points were to either break the ceiling into the higher star level or to hold an output back a star level;
• Understand how panels used other information such as metrics, markers of journal quality or prior knowledge in output assessment;
• Gain insight into how future outputs could be strengthened for REF20

Workshops scheduled so far are:

• UOA 2/3 – Prof Dame Jill Macleod Clark – 15 March 2018
• UOA 11 – Prof Iain Stewart – 29 January 2018
• UoA 14 – Prof Jon Sadler – 2 February 2018
• UOA 15 – Prof Graeme Barker – 7 February 2018
• UOA 17 – Prof Terry Williams – 17 January 2018
• UOA 18 – TBC
• UOA 23 – Prof Jane Seale – 26 January 2018
• UOA 24 (Sport & Exercise Science) – Professor John Horne –date TBC
• UoA 24 (Leisure and Tourism) – Prof Gareth Shaw – date TBC
• UOA 11/32 (Computer Animation) – Prof Anthony Steed – 31 January 2018
• UOA 32/34 (Practice-based) – Prof Stephen Partridge – date TBC
• UOA 34 – Prof Peter Lunt – date TBC

Please see the full range of REF-related workshops on the staff intranet.