Research assessment: RAE - REF
The London School of Economics and Political Science confirmed its position as a world-leading research university, with outstanding success in the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE). The Library played a vital role in helping submit evidence of research excellence for this assessment and will be providing this service again for the successor to the RAE – the Research Excellence Framework (REF).
The following information and resources are designed to explain how research funding works, the impact of the REF and how the library can help.
Why is research assessment so important?
Research in Higher Education is funded primarily by the Government with additional support from charities, international sources and the private sector.
Funding is allocated using a 'dual support system'. The funding council HEFCE distributes block grants to Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) for research infrastructure and to support strategic research priorities. This is determined by an assessment of the volume and quality of research. Funding Councils also provide grants for specific projects and programmes.
In 2008/9 £1.46bn was allocated in QR - quality related funding.
RAE to REF
The first assessment exercise was conducted in 1989 and has been continued periodically since then. RAE2008 was a UK-wide exercise covering 159 universities and higher education colleges. As discussed above the results of research assessment are important for funding but also because they are widely reported and impact on the reputation of HEIs.
The Government decided that the assessment system should be reviewed to reduce the burden on academic panels who review the research output and to increase the use of statistics such as bibliometrics.
The REF is currently in a consultation process with the first exercise due to be completed in 2013. The REF is aiming to focus on three elements when determining research excellence –
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Outputs – assessed through peer review, informed by citation information (bibliometrics)
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Impact – research has to deliver demonstrable benefits to the economy, society and the public
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Environment – Supporting excellent research and its effective dissemination and application.
More information on this can be found on the HEFCE REF website below.
How the Library can help
The library worked very closely with the Research Project Development Divison (RPDD) and other areas of the school to collate and verify output for the RAE 2008. We will be continuing this service for the REF.
For the REF we hope that LSE Research Online| will be used as the basis for collecting submissions. If you wish to submit your research to LSE Research Online please email lseresearchonline@lse.ac.uk|, alternatively you can self deposit your research following the instructions on the registration form|.
We have been closely involved in the consultation process for the REF, helping RPDD collate the schools' response and providing our own input over the use of bibliometrics. We are also keenly monitoring developments and preparing out systems for the next phase of research assessment. If you have any questions concerning the REF and how the library can help please use the contact details below.