REF/KEF
What is REF?
The Research Excellence Framework (REF) is a periodic assessment of research quality in the UK. REF gives accountability for public investment in research, provides benchmarking information and informs the annual allocation of quality-related (QR) funding to higher education institutions (HEIs).
The outcomes of REF 2021 (the most recent assessment) were published in April 2022.
REF assesses:
- the quality of research outputs, from journal papers to art exhibitions and everything in between
- the impact of research on industry, public services, civic society, and the general public
- each university’s research environment.
Teesside University and REF
In line with our institutional strategy to support our research environment and develop our research centres, the number of staff submitted by the University to REF has increased almost threefold, from 94 (87.4 FTE) in REF 2014 to 251 (240.1 FTE) in REF 2021.
We submitted to five units of assessment (UoAs) in REF 2021:
- allied health professions, dentistry, nursing and pharmacy
- art and design – history, practice and theory
- engineering
- psychology, psychiatry and neuroscience
- social work and social policy.
Our Code of Practice sets out the processes we used to prepare our submission to REF 2021, specifically: how staff with significant responsibility for research were identified; how research independence was determined; and how outputs were selected for submission.
For REF 2021, every member of staff was, as standard, submitted with between one and five outputs. The University recognises that there are many reasons why research outputs are produced at different rates. These can include disciplinary norms, a staff member’s career stage, and the balance of their commitments across the institution’s portfolio of learning and teaching, engagement and research activities.
The University’s academic careers framework and policy makes clear that applicants cannot identify which of their outputs were submitted to REF 2021. Similarly, the selection of outputs for submission to REF 2021 is not considered as part of research evaluation processes within the University.
We are a signatory of the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment, which promotes responsible research evaluation. This is reflected in our policy on the responsible Policy on the use of Quantitative Indicators in Research.
For further information, please email ref@tees.ac.uk or consult the REF website.
More about our REF 2021 outcomes
What is KEF?
The Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF) is a national indicator of the work carried out by Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) with external partners to support the economy and society. KEF is based on a range of metrics and narrative statements on institutional strategies, activities and their impact.
The results of the latest KEF were released in October 2023.
Teesside University and KEF
- Teesside University has very high engagement for research partnerships through co-authorship and collaborative research income.
(Knowledge Exchange Framework 3. Cluster E average was medium engagement.) - Teesside University has very high engagement for working with business.
(Knowledge Exchange Framework 3. Income through contract research, consultancy, facilities use and from Innovate UK. Cluster E average was medium engagement.) - Teesside University has high engagement for working with the public and third sector.
(Knowledge Exchange Framework 3. Income through contract research, consultancy and facilities use. Cluster E average was medium engagement.) - Teesside University has very high engagement for continuing professional development (CPD) and graduate start-ups.
(Knowledge Exchange Framework 3. Income through provision of CPD and continuing education, and the number of graduate start-ups. Cluster E average was high engagement.) - Teesside University has very high engagement for local growth and regeneration.
(Knowledge Exchange Framework 3. Income received for regeneration and development. Teesside University is an anchor institution in its region, contributing to economic growth through the provision of higher-level skills, research, innovation and business support. Its approach is rooted in its local economy, reflecting the industrial strengths and opportunities and meeting the challenges of an area that has seen the closure of key employers that once dominated. Teesside University plays a key role in supporting the Tees Valley establish itself as an enterprising, vibrant region focused on growth through digital, biosciences, health and clean and renewable energy. Cluster E average was medium engagement.) - Teesside University has high engagement for intellectual property (IP) and commercialisation.
(Knowledge Exchange Framework 3. Income through licensing and intellectual property (IP) income, and spin-out investment and turnover. Cluster E average was medium engagement.)
Teesside University was placed in KEF cluster E - a group of 33 'large universities with broad discipline portfolio of both STEM and non-STEM generating excellent research.'
Find out more about KEF, including dashboards to compare the outcomes of the first exercise for all participating institutions.
