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Research Excellence Framework 2021
The Research Excellence Framework (REF) is the system for assessing the quality of research in UK higher education institutions (HEIs).
Results
The excellence of research at UCL and its positive real-world impact has improved since 2014, according to the Research Excellence Framework 2021 (REF) assessment results.
UCL is second in the UK for research power by a measure of average research score multiplied by staff numbers submitted. For this, 93 per cent of our research was graded 4* ‘world leading’ and 3* ‘internationally excellent’.
Our research received a 'grade point average' of 3.50 (out of 4) – an improvement from 3.22 in 2014. A total of 3,432 UCL academics submitted to this REF process. See the full REF 2021 results.
UCL President & Provost Dr Michael Spence shares this video message (below) on UCL's excellent REF 2021 results.
Submissions
UCL submitted evidence of a breadth of research activities including 8,052 research outputs such as journal articles, books, designs, exhibitions and performances. We also shared 194 impact case studies showcasing diverse impact across every faculty to combat the most pressing global challenges of our time, and we provided evidence of the environment that enables us to deliver world-leading research. See more on REF 2021 submissions.
Impact
Through our interdisciplinary work, UCL researchers have been collaborating with local and international partners on a range of issues – from tackling inequalities and climate change and addressing health challenges including COVID-19, HIV and cancer. They have also helped preserve ancient heritage for future generations, transformed social care policy and practice, worked with industry to supply cutting-edge technology for international space missions, and much more.
You can browse our impact case studies – below – and listen to our podcast series.
Browse our REF 2021 impact case studies
Building public support for sustainable development through evidence-based engagement
UCL science supports industry supplier of optical sensors to major space missions
Understanding disease spill-over from wildlife to improve public health
Protecting citizens from surveillance overreach during the COVID-19 pandemic
Changing mental health policies and practice to support young people across the UK
Creating equitable, inclusive and positive representations of girls and women in the UK
Documenting, contextualising and planning for an ancient Assyrian heritage site in post-ISIS Iraq
UCL-Ventura CPAP breathing aid: interdisciplinary working to solve a COVID-19 challenge at pace
Keeping fossil fuels in the ground: identifying unburnable fossil fuels
Transforming access to children’s social care records in England
Single-dose radiotherapy transforms breast cancer patient care
Transforming global HIV prevention strategies and the lives of people living with HIV
