Checking the veracity of narrative-based statements describing universities’ research culture has emerged as a key concern for panellists finalising guidance for the next Research Excellence Framework (REF), Times Higher Education understands.
With the final guidance for REF 2029 set to be published in autumn, panellists and subject experts have been meeting in recent weeks to clarify the rules that will determine how around £2 billion in annual block grant funding will be distributed across the UK sector.
With most guidance on submissions, impact and volume measures already announced, significant attention has focused on the renamed “strategy, people and research environment” (SPRE) section, previously “people, culture and environment” (PCE), of the REF which accounts for 20 per cent of an institution’s overall score.
Alongside discussion of which indicators of research environment excellence should be permitted for inclusion, panellists have also raised the issue of how official documents will be audited and what evidence should be submitted to support excellence claims.
“Approaches to both rigorously evidencing claims and to auditing have been comprehensively discussed and debated by panels and central REF,” one panellist told THE, adding: “We’re absolutely aware of the scrutiny that is warranted.”
