The Department of Science and Technology Studies (STS) contributes to many units of assessment (UoA) in the REF, with two big groups of staff joining UCL colleagues in Philosophy (6 persons) and History (8). Both History and Philosophy received 4* ratings, with Philosophy coming first in the UK and History coming 6th overall. All STS staff were submitted. The Philosophy environment statement was co-written by Professor Veronique Munoz Darde (Philosophy) and Professor Emma Tobin (STS). The History REF submission was led by Prof. Margot Finn (History) assisted by a team including Professor Jon Agar (STS).
Science and Technology Studies supplied two of the three REF Case studies for the Philosophy UoA , led by Professor Phyllis Illari and Professor Sarah Edwards. Impressively, we scored 1st nationally for impact, scoring 100%. The STS case studies played a significant role in making Philosophy at UCL 4* and first place in the UK. The two case studies were on establishing ethical standards for clinical research during public health emergencies (Edwards) and pluralistic evidence for successful policymaking about reactive system (Illari).
“We are thrilled by our contribution to the excellent REF results, including those in the UoAs of History and Philosophy at UCL. STS is an interdisciplinary department, including in addition studies of science communication, science policy and sociology of science and technology. STS staff in these contemporary areas contributed to the overall fantastic results achieved by UCL, and we are proud of everyone’s work. STS contributed 2 out of the 3 cases studies which contributed to Philosophy’s score of 100% for impact. Congratulations to Professor Phyllis Illari and Professor Sarah Edwards who led on these impact case studies,” said Professors Jon Agar and Emma Tobin, Joint Heads of Department, UCL Science & Technology Studies.
The REF 2021 submission includes only a small sample of the dynamic and ground-breaking research undertaken by UCL Science & Technology Studies, please see the department research page for information on their other research successes.
Links
- UCL Science & Technology Studies
- UCL REF Hub
- Faculty of Mathematical & Physical Sciences REF page
- UCL Science & Technology Studies research page
Image
- Credit: iStock Phuttaphat Tipsana
Keep up to date:
UCL astronomer and children’s book author wins lifetime achievement award
Professor Raman Prinja (UCL Physics & Astronomy) has received this year’s Ian Robson Lifetime Achievement Award from the Royal Astronomical Society (RAS) for his outstanding contributions.
09 Jan 2026
Dark matter search achieves new record and spots neutrinos from Sun’s core
The LUX-ZEPLIN (LZ) collaboration involving UCL researchers has achieved a new record in its search for dark matter and for the first time picked up signals from neutrinos produced in the Sun’s core
12 Dec 2025
Cause of Santorini earthquake swarm uncovered
A mysterious swarm of earthquakes that occurred near the Greek island of Santorini in early 2025 was caused by rebounding sheets of magma slicing through Earth’s crust, finds a new study.
20 Nov 2025
Follow us:
World-first project shows great promise to treat low eye pressure
A new study shows the effectiveness of a widely-used eye injection to manage the previously untreatable condition, hypotony, in a project by clinical researchers at UCL and Moorfields Eye Hospital.
12 Jan 2026
Our very own Prof. Raman Prinja wins lifetime achievement award
Professor Raman Prinja (UCL Physics & Astronomy) has received this year’s Ian Robson Lifetime Achievement Award from the Royal Astronomical Society (RAS) for his outstanding contributions.
12 Jan 2026
Prof Andreas Demosthenous elected IEEE UK and Ireland Section Vice Chair (Chair Elect)
Professor Andreas Demosthenous has been elected Vice Chair (Chair Elect) of the IEEE UK and Ireland Section, reflecting his leadership and long-standing contributions to IEEE.
12 Jan 2026