Research of International Quality

Teesside headlines from the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE)

• 55% of research entered by Teesside University in Computing classed as internationally excellent (including 10% whose quality is world-leading).
• 50% of research in History is internationally excellent (with 10% rated as world-leading)
• Nearly 70% of all work entered by the University for the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) classified as being of international quality or higher.

Professor Graham Henderson, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Teesside, said: 'We are delighted that so many of our researchers have had the quality of their work judged to be internationally excellent, and in several cases world-leading in terms of originality, significance and rigour.

'This is a very good result reflecting the progress we have made since the last Research Assessment Exercise and a clear endorsement of the high quality of research that is taking place at the University of Teesside.

International excellence 'Special congratulations must, of course, go to the research teams in Computing and History who have been judged so highly in terms of international excellence and to Sociology and Business who also had part of their submissions classified as world-leading. But all the areas that we entered have made considerable progress since the 2001 RAE and I would like to thank everyone involved for their contribution.'

Professor Cliff Hardcastle, Teesside University's Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Enterprise) added: 'The RAE has become much more selective since last time. And it is a major achievement for our staff, including those in Allied Health Professions and General Engineering who made the largest submissions, that their work has been recognised as being of international standing.'

Professor Hardcastle stressed: 'This is a very good basis to build on in the future,' adding: 'We are striving to increase our research activity, and in the New Year the University will be launching five new research institutes to focus and build our research activities in key areas of strength, such as digital media, technology, social science, arts & culture and health & social care.'

The details:

• 85% of Computing in the top three grades for research quality, including 10% considered to be world-leading and 45% internationally excellent
• 80% of History in the top three grades for research quality, including 10% considered to be world-leading and 40% internationally excellent
• 80% of General Engineering in Grades 2* and 3* (55% recognised internationally and 25% internationally excellent)
• 65% of Sociology in the top three grades for research quality, (5% considered to be world-leading, 20% internationally excellent and 40% internationally recognised)
• 60% of Business in the top three grades for research quality (5% world-leading, 20% internationally excellent and 35% internationally recognised)
• 55% of Health in Grades 2* and 3* (20% internationally excellent and 35% internationally recognised)
• Nearly 70% of Teesside's work entered into the 2008 RAE recognised internationally or above, i.e., in Grades 2*, 3* and 4*.

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