Is your website ready for the Research Excellence Framework?

The introduction of a new method of research assessment, the Research Excellence Framework (REF), poses new challenges to higher education institutions throughout the UK.

As REF panels evaluate case study submissions in 2014, they will be seeking evidence of research output quality, its impact on society and culture and to the wider research environment.

In preparation for REF assessment, higher education institutions may choose to overhaul the research areas of their website in order to reflect their case study submissions and evidence the impact of their research.

What are the REF panel looking for from my website?

While an institution's website is not directly assessed as part of the exercise, it can be used to provide evidence of activity that meets the assessment criteria.

Many institutions have chosen to redevelop their research website and have repurposed their REF case studies as online research features – evidencing activity and impact to the general public. Case studies are often categorised into their respective research themes.

Working closely with the submitting researcher, a talented Web Editor can develop a series of compelling pieces that will not only be of interest to REF panels, but to potential business partners and funding bodies.

It is also important to use your website to evidence the support network available to researchers – outlining how research is governed and the institution's research facilities.

While the REF places less emphasis on the volume of publication and research awards than in the old Research Assessment Exercise, it is still a valuable exercise to showcase publications and ensure research staff profiles are up-to-date and well presented. Using a publications repository and/or a research information system can greatly assist with this process.

Examples of institutions adapting their website for REF

We have found some examples of institutions starting to tackle this large and often complex task. Some are better than others:

• University of Bath research features
• University of Oxford impact videos and support for researchers
• University of Nottingham research impact section
• University of Strathclyde impact section

What is the Research Excellence Framework?

The Research Excellence Framework (REF) replaces the Research Assessment Exercise as the government's method of assessing the quality of research in UK higher education institutions.

Managed by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) and undertaken by four UK higher education funding bodies, the assessment provides accountability for public investment in research and produces evidence of the benefits of this investment.

Universities can elect to submit their research in up to 36 units of assessment and must do so by 29 November 2013. The REF main and sub-panels will assess submissions and publish their results in December 2014. The results will inform the allocation of research funding by UK higher education funding bodies from 2015-2016.

Why not ask Campuscontent to help you prepare your website for the REF?

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