Research Excellence Framework 2028 Consultation
The Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE), Scotland’s National Academy, in conjunction with the Young Academy of Scotland (YAS), welcomed the opportunity to respond to the four UK higher education funding bodies’ (Research England, Scottish Funding Council, Higher Education Funding Council for Wales and Department for the Economy Northern Ireland) consultation on the proposed changes for the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2028. Our diverse fellowship, with members from across the higher education sector in Scotland as well as cross-sector business leaders, enables us to gain a complex understanding and cross-sectoral insight from different types of academic institutions and beyond. The response builds on evidence gathered from a working group constituted to represent different universities across Scotland, as well as on observations from the RSE’s own research awards programme, when appropriate.
While Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) might address all the questions in the consultation, the response presented here concentrates on several topics that the RSE is best placed to address, which capture general cross-sectoral trends rather than reflect on the impact of proposed changes on individual institutions.
Overall, the Royal Society of Edinburgh welcomes the proposed intention to take further steps to foster a positive research culture, and notes that good strides have been made in the sector over the years, some of these influenced by previous iterations of the Research Excellence Framework.
While the academic sector in Scotland is small, it is proportionately significantly larger relative to the population than elsewhere in the UK, and there is great diversity in the size and mission of institutions active in the country, with high levels of research activity in smaller institutions. It is with this diversity in mind that the response submitted here was created, mindful that the proposed changes need to embrace and support the uniqueness of different institutions. All in all, the recommendations thus focus on capturing general aspects related to the principles and values for the next assessment cycle that broadly concentrate on four key themes: equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI); collaboration; diversity (of institutions/approaches); and creativity and risk taking. These are key themes that the RSE would see as essential as part of a renewed framework which stewards a thriving research environment that works for all actors. There is an opportunity for REF to drive positive shifts in university strategies and codes of practices which might need to be reviewed as a result of proposed changes, and these should be harmonised at different levels in the institution (e.g. school, department, institutional).
The RSE is mindful that REF continues to place a significant burden on institutions both in terms of spending and resource allocation, and at the individual level can have a significant impact on productivity, wellbeing and mental health, already heavily impacted by the recent experience in the pandemic. Albeit unintentionally, REF has also supported and even generated negative consequences in the past, and formal and informal feedback in departments across Scotland shows that the assessment process can generate considerable stress and lead to feelings of inadequacy for researchers at all levels of their careers.
While the response further focuses on specific themes in the consultation outlined below, one general point to identify early on is that the RSE welcomes the separation of the narrative requirements for the 2028 submissions in the people, culture and environment (PCE) section. As we explain below, this can mitigate against some of the unintended consequences of proposed changes, and can potentially contribute significantly to fostering inclusive positive cultures supported by the four core themes identified above.
Overall, the Royal Society of Edinburgh welcomes the proposed intention to take further steps to foster a positive research culture, and notes that good strides have been made in the sector over the years, some of these influenced by previous iterations of the Research Excellence Framework. While the academic sector in Scotland is small, it is proportionately significantly larger relative to the population than elsewhere in the UK, and there is great diversity in the size and mission of institutions active in the country, with high levels of research activity in smaller institutions. It is with this diversity in mind that the response was created, mindful that the proposed changes need to embrace and support the uniqueness of different institutions. All in all, the recommendations thus focus on capturing general aspects related to the principles and values for the next assessment cycle that broadly concentrate on four key themes: 1) equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI); 2) collaboration; 3) diversity (of institutions/approaches); and 4) creativity and risk taking. These are key themes that the RSE would see as essential as part of a renewed framework which stewards a thriving research environment that works for all actors.
