Reflections on the REF 2021

The changing nature of the UK’s Research Excellence Framework (REF) exercise, along with its complexity and time-consuming nature, have led to considerable administrative burdens placed upon both administrators and researchers. According to a 2021 survey paper from RAND Europe on perceptions of the Research Excellence Framework among UK researchers, ‘The most frequently mentioned reason for the negative attitudes to the REF is the excessive burden it created in terms of time, resources, and workflow required to complete the REF exercise for both academics and administrators.’

This new paper from Symplectic explores the Research Information Management System (also known as a Current Research Information System, or CRIS) in supporting the REF submissions process, and features case studies from University College London, University of Essex, Anglia Ruskin University and Liverpool John Moores University.