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REF2021

REF2021

Last carried out in 2014, REF2021 assessed the University’s research in 27 ‘Units of Assessment’ that span academic disciplines within the University. The University’s submission was assessed alongside all other UK universities by expert panels which include academics, international members, and the end-users of research such as people from industry and charities.

The results show an impressive increase in research capacity - or 'power' in REF terms - within the School of History, Classics and Archaeology.

The results of REF2021 confirm that the research, researchers and teams at Newcastle University are recognised as Visibly Leading in their disciplines and are changing the world for the better.

Vice-Chancellor and President of Newcastle University, Professor Chris Day

HCA Results

In relation to research power, all three subjects within the School of History, Classics and Archaeology saw a substantial increase since 2014, the last time REF assessments were carried out:

  • History: 86% increase in research power;
  • Classics and Ancient History: 55% increase in research power;
  • Archaeology: 151% increase in research power.

There was further success in regard to the scoring of the research submitted, with the majority of research submitted being deemed as world-leading or internationally excellent:

  • History: just under 30% of research outputs were classified as world-leading with a futher 38% classified as internationally excellent;
  • Classics & Ancient History: just under 40% of the outputs were classified as world-leading with a futher 50% of research submitted classified as internationally excellent;
  • Archaeology: 50% of Impact was classified as world-leading with a futher 50% classified as internationally excellent.

Research community

Professor Annie Tindley, Head of the School of History, Classics and Archaeology, praised the hard efforts of staff in developing the School's research community: “The REF2021 results for History, Classics & Archaeology at Newcastle University are an encouraging indication that our ongoing work in re-building our research community and environment is coming to fruition and we will continue to grow our research power in an inclusive way. We are proud that in all three disciplines a strong proportion of our Impact was recognised as world-leading, demonstrating our commitment and contribution to solving real world problems. We are striving to ensure we develop the best possible research environment for all staff and our students and continue to produce excellent research in our fields.”

We are proud that in all three disciplines a strong proportion of our Impact was recognised as world-leading, demonstrating our commitment and contribution to solving real world problems.

Professor Annie Tindley, Head of the School of History, Classics and Archaeology

About REF

REF2021 is the latest in a series of national research assessment exercises in recent decades. It encompasses research undertaken from 2014 until December 2020, although the submission was delayed by the pandemic. The Research Excellence Framework is undertaken by the four UK higher education funding bodies: Research England, the Scottish Funding Council (SFC), the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW), and the Department for the Economy, Northern Ireland (DfE). Its main purpose is to provide the evidence base for continued investment of public funds in a world-class, dynamic and responsive research base across UK higher education institutions.

Research power is calculated as the multiple of the grade point average (GPA) by the number of researchers returned.

Newcastle University's REF2021 results are available here.