Western Mail

University research is among the world’s best

- ABBIE WIGHTWICK Education Editor abbie.wightwick@walesonlin­e.co.uk

A UK-wide assessment of the quality of research at universiti­es has found that 83% of research at universiti­es in Wales is world-leading or internatio­nally excellent.

The Research Excellence Framework 2021 published today found:

■ 83% of Welsh research assessed as world-leading (4*) or internatio­nally excellent (3*);

■ 37% of Welsh research 4* – world-leading, and the highest rating;

■ 89% of Welsh research has a worldleadi­ng or internatio­nally excellent impact beyond academia.

Across the UK, 185,000 research outputs were submitted by 157 universiti­es for assessment by the REF’s expert panels.

The REF was undertaken by the four higher education funding bodies for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The results will be used by those four to allocate research funding to universiti­es – around £2 billion per year overall from 2022-23.

In Wales the panels also concluded that the research environmen­t in 85% of the submission­s was world-leading or internatio­nally excellent.

The outcomes for Wales showed particular­ly strong performanc­es in a range of subjects including allied health profession­s, dentistry, nursing, pharmacy, psychology, psychiatry and neuroscien­ce, earth systems and environmen­t sciences; and English language and literature.

Rob Humphreys, chairman of Higher Education Funding Council Wales, said: “These REF outcomes show that research in Wales continues to hold its own within the UK and internatio­nally.

“That more than 80% of research at our universiti­es is judged to be of the highest quality on the world stage is recognitio­n of the talent and commitment in department­s across the nation.

“This is a significan­t set of outcomes for our universiti­es. We now see a greater proportion of research in the highest 4* category and the overall picture is extremely positive.

“The exercise also recognised that the environmen­ts within which the research was carried out was supportive.

“Welsh universiti­es should be held in esteem as good places to work as well as to study.

“Wales continues to have universiti­es that produce highly impactful research that benefits wider society.”

Dr David Blaney, chief executive of HEFCW, said the outcomes of REF 2021 showed that universiti­es are delivering all around Wales.

“We recognise the importance of our core research funding to support and sustain research at higher education providers and how it helps institutio­ns to compete and win additional funding from elsewhere in the UK and further afield.

“The annual allocation of our core research funding is based on the results of the REF.

“That our financial contributi­on at the very least continues at current levels and has the prospect of increasing is crucial so that our universiti­es are able to sustain and further develop the quality, impact and reputation of their research.

“We know from the Welsh Government’s own research that universiti­es play a crucial role in generating growth and prosperity – both economic and social – and developing skilled and well-educated graduates.

“They are important locally and renowned globally, and are well placed to help us meet future challenges, as the outcomes show.”

 ?? ?? > Dr David Blaney, of the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales
> Dr David Blaney, of the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Kingdom