UCL’s research power in Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience, which encompasses the majority of ION research activity, has been recognised as the best in the UK by today’s Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021) results across the three elements of ‘output’, ‘impact’ and ‘environment’.

Our extremely positive performance continues our record of exceptional achievement in previous Research Assessment Exercises. 

  • 92% of our research in this area is graded 4* (‘world-leading’) and 3* (‘internationally excellent’) – up from 83% in the last assessment in 2014. In the 4* ‘world-leading’ category, we saw a particularly impressive leap, with 67% of research recognised in this top category – up from 51% in 2014.
  • Our research received a GPA (Grade Point Average) of 3.57 (out of 4) ranking us 6th in the UK – an improvement from 13th place in 2014 with a GPA of 3.3 – while our research environment is ranked equal 1st in the UK with a 100% world-leading rating.

UCL submitted evidence of a breadth of research activities, which included 2 impact case studies from ION, which are highlighted below.

REF 2021 is the second assessment carried our under the Research Excellence Framework with the first one issued in 2014. The REF is carried out approximately every six to seven years to assess the quality of research across 157 UK universities and to share how this research benefits society both in the UK and globally. A total of 3,432 UCL academics were submitted in 32 disciplinary groups to this REF process.

“I am delighted that the hard work of all the excellent staff at IoN has contributed to this outstanding performance in REF 2021. The results confirm that the IoN is the UKs leading neurological disease research institute producing outstanding research outputs and delivering important impacts for patients.

This independent external validation of the world leading quality of the work IoN staff deliver is very important. It encourages all of us to continue with our mission to undertake the best discovery and clinical science in order to understand and develop treatments for devastating neurological diseases facing society. I want to personally congratulate all IoN staff on this important success which bodes well for 2022 and beyond”  Professor Michael Hanna, Director of UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology

UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology REF 2021 impact case studies 

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