Outstanding performance for UCL Engineering in REF2021

UCL Faculty of Engineering Sciences has performed very strongly as a faculty in the latest Research Evaluation Framework (REF 2021), with 97% of the submission rated as ‘world leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’ and over 70% of the impact case studies rated excellent

This represents an increase of over 30% in 4* submissions since REF 2014.  

Overall, UCL was ranked 2nd in the UK, and in both the Computer Science and Business Management Units of Assessment, UCL was ranked 2nd overall. 

More broadly, BEAMS departments achieved the top three positions across UCL for research rated ‘world leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’. Chemistry, Computer Science, and Engineering  came first, second, and third resepectively. 

UCL Engineering as a faculty was entered into 4 units of assessment; Engineering (UoA 12), Computer Science, (UoA 11) Social Work and Social Policy (UoA 20), and Business and Management (UoA 17).

Prof Nigel Titchener Hooker, Dean of UCL Engineering said:
“Everybody should be incredibly excited to see the excellence of our REF results. The international quality of the work we conduct, across our uniquely broad faculty, and the impact that this work makes on our society,  our health and well-being, economies and the environment are all reflected in the REF outcomes. Individually and collectively we have improved across all of the units of assessment. We should all be proud of the results. They are testament to the brilliance of the individuals and teams who conduct the pioneering studies and the support they receive across the faculty in the consistent delivery of excellence with  real relevance for our changing world.”

Prof. Tony Kenyon, the outgoing Vice-Dean research with responsibility for overseeing UCL Engineering’s REF submission said: 
“It was a huge privilege to see the extraordinary breadth and quality of the Faculty’s research as we prepared our REF submissions. While it was a daunting task to help bring everything together, I think everyone should be enormously proud of these results. The Faculty goes from strength to strength and our research is receiving its just recognition. Many thanks to all of you for doing such outstanding work, and particularly all of those who helped shape the submission.”

And Prof. Richard Bucknall, incoming Vice Dean (Research) said:
“Our research improves lives and changes the world we live in for the better. The REF results recognise the importance, quality and impact of the research we do.  As incoming Vice Dean (Research) I want to thank Tony for leading the faculty to a fantastic set of results and for leaving Faculty of Engineering Sciences Research in such great shape.”

In the Engineering Unit of Assessment UCL is:

• 4th overall in the UK for percentage of our submission rated 4* (“world leading”).
• 97% of our submission rated as either “world leading” (4*) or “internationally excellent”.
• Over 70% of our Impact case studies were rated “outstanding” (4*) and 100% of our impact case studies were rated either “outstanding” (4*) or having “very considerable impact” (3*).

• 2nd overall in the UK on percentage of our submission rated as either “world leading” (4*) or “internationally excellent” (3*). 
• 2nd overall in UK for research power.
• Over 80% of our Impact case studies were rated “outstanding” (4*) and 100% of our impact case studies were rated either “outstanding” (4*) or having “very considerable impact” (3*).

• 7th overall in the UK on 4* rated research.
• 75% of our Impact case studies were rated “outstanding” (4*) and 100% of our impact case studies were rated either “outstanding” (4*) or having “very considerable impact” (3*).

• 2nd in the UK for percentage of outputs rated as either “world leading” (4*) or “internationally excellent” (3*). Figure is 94.8%.
• 10th in UK for overall research rated as “world leading”.

• Contributes 14% of UCL’s research power
• Holds two of the top three positions in the institution for the proportion of our research rated “world leading” or “internationally excellent”.

More info can be found on the UCL REF hub.