Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2014

The Research Excellence Framework (REF) replaces the Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) and will be completed in 2014. The REF 2014 will be undertaken by the four UK higher education funding bodies and will:

• Inform the selective allocation of research funding to Higher Education Institutions
• Provide benchmarking information and establish reputational yardsticks
• Provide accountability for public investment in research and demonstrate its benefits.

It is a requirement of the REF that the University develop, document and apply a code of practice on selecting staff to be included in its REF submission and submit it to the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE). The University of Hertfordshire’s Code was approved by HEFCE in July 2012 and outlines the process by which selection will take place. The aim is for the process to be conducted following the four key principles of transparency, consistency, accountability and inclusivity. The Code and the processes adopted for the REF will be subject to Equality Impact Assessments and all involved in the University’s REF processes will receive equalities training.