City’s universities star in research rankings

COVENTRY’S two universities have performed well in recent rankings based on the quality of their research.

Times Higher Education REF2021 ranking for research power, carried out for the first time since 2014, have seen Coventry University jump 22 places into the top half of the list, while the University of Warwick also achieved highly with 92 per cent of its research assessed as being ‘world leading or internationally excellent.’

The REF, or Research for Excellence Framework, is a periodic exercise of research assessment and annually distributes around £2billion worth of public funding to support research activities in higher education institutions.

Coventry University’s research has performed particularly highly in a number of areas, including allied health, dance, art and design.

The university’s research was assessed in ten different subject areas, with every subject having some research classed as worldleading (four stars). The REF is undertaken by the four UK higher education funding bodies Research England, the Scottish Funding Council, the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales and the Department for the Economy, Northern Ireland in order to allocate public research funding to universities.

Professor John Latham CBE, Vicechancellor of Coventry University, said: “We are delighted with the university’s performance in REF 2021 it is a clear validation of our ability to conduct research that matters and changes lives following substantial growth of our research portfolio over several years. We are working with partners to tackle some of the biggest challenges affecting our communities.

“What is particularly pleasing is the growth we can see across the board, with 70% of our research now classed as world leading or internationally excellent. At Coventry University we always want our research to have real-world impact across the globe so this is fantastic news.”

Fifty per cent of Warwick’s submitted research was awarded the highest possible rating of ‘world leading’ (four stars), up from 37 percent in 2014. A further 42 percent was assessed to be ‘internationally excellent’ (three stars) by the experts.

Commenting on the REF2021 assessment, Professor Stuart Croft, Vice-chancellor at the University of

Warwick, said: “These results demonstrate the truly world class quality of our research, our approach and most importantly our people. This is an outstanding achievement and a source of tremendous pride for everyone connected with this great institution.

“Our research has always been driven by a strong sense of purpose

and commitment to ensuring what we do has a positive impact on wider society. From helping to save lives through our modelling work during the Covid pandemic, and the development of new, sustainable forms of transport and energy, to making a fairer criminal justice system, and supporting our cultural institutions and creative industries, our research

delivers real-world benefit. Overall, the REF results also reflect the remarkable strength, quality and breadth of research within the UK.

“The future for our researchers is bright and exciting. We will continue to push boundaries, innovate and learn through our research work so we can benefit more people, in more places, more often.”