REF2021

The Research Excellence Framework (REF) is the system for assessing the quality of research in UK higher education institutions. The assessment measures the quality of academic research including its impact on society, culture, the economy and public policy. It is a recognised indicator of research quality.

In REF2021 79% of our submission was classified as internationally recognised, internationally excellent and world leading.

The research that is assessed is from all independent and research academic staff, divided into three components: outputs (articles, chapters, monographs, performances), impact (benefit of research to society) and environment (strategy for growing and supporting research).  Academic disciplines/subject areas are grouped into Units of Assessments (UoAs), with HEIs deciding which Units of Assessment they submit to. 

This research is assessed by expert panels of academics and research users, and the results of the assessment are presented as a ‘quality profile’ showing the percentage of research at five quality ratings: 4* (world-leading), 3* (internationally excellent), 2* (internationally recognised), 1* (nationally recognised) to unclassified (not meeting the 1* level). 

The University of Northampton submitted to the following UoAs in REF2021 

 (click through to explore our research in these areas): 

• 2 Public Health, Health Services and Primary Care 
• 4 Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience 
• 5 Biological Sciences 
• 12 Engineering 
• 14 Geography and Environmental Studies 
• 16 Economics and Econometrics 
• 17 Business and Management Studies 
• 21 Sociology 
• 23 Education 
• 27 English Language and Literature 
• 28 History 
• 32 Art and Design: History, Practice and Theory 

REF2021 Code of Practice

• Each HEI was required to provide a code of practice detailing the process for determining staff eligibility for submission to the REF and the selection of outputs for the submission. 
• The Code of Practice was approved and published by UKRI, this is the final version and incorporates all changes required in light of Covid-19 and the extension of the REF submission date to 31 March 2021.