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Submissions by UOA

You will find below a list of the submissions into Units of Assessment (UoAs) made by UCL to REF2014.

Individual department results and data

Inside each drop-down, you will find statistics relating to each submissions. You will also find links to the Departments to which the submissions relate.

This page will collect together results related information and press statements once they are passed to us. Nevertheless,  departmental websites, along with their related social networking pages (Twitter and/or Facebook) will be the most immediate place to find news items and press releases related to individual submissions. 

UoA1 Clinical Medicine

Results News

UCL has achieved the greatest amount of 4* (world leading) research in Panel A, covering medicine and biological sciences, much of which is conducted in collaboration with our partner hospitals.

SLMS Quality Profile

The quality of our research was matched by a highly inclusive submission (UCL submitted c.33% more staff than to RAE2008) reflecting our role as a truly research-intensive university, where a supportive environment empowers members of our research community to live up to their potential as world-leading researchers. 

 

 

SLMS Power Rankings by Unit of Assessment

SLMS increased its grade point average in all the units of assessment for which we submitted. We continue to be identified as the UK's strongest medical research grouping and an average of 78% of our research was graded as internationally excellent (3*) or world-leading (4*)

Submission Data:

  • 473 Members of Staff
  • 449.82 FTE
  • 79 ECRs (75.62 FTE)

Our submission into UOA1 spanned the following departments, divisions and Faculties (this list is as inclusive as possible):

UoA2 Public Health, Health Services and Primary Care

Results News

Nationally UCL's submission to UOA2 was 2nd in terms of 4* and 4/3* X FTE research power with 96.23% of staff submitted. The unit was =1st for Environment with a maximum score of 100% 4*.

The Institute of Child Health

ICH submitted staff to two sub-panels within the Main Medicine Panel.  Panel headlines:

  • UCL enjoys the greatest amount of 4* ("world leading") research in Panel A, covering medicine and biological sciences, much of which is conducted in collaboration with our partner hospitals.
  • Our staff from four programmes (GGM, DBC, DN and IIIP) were submitted to the Clinical Medicine Unit of Assessment (1), representing about a quarter of UCL staff returned to this UoA.  Here UCL achieved 43% 4* (world-leading) outputs.  In the assessment of research power (multiple the quality score by the number of staff returned from UCL), we came Top in this Unit of Assessment, with 12.9 % of the overall market share. 
  • Our staff from PPP were almost all submitted to the Public Health, Health Services and Primary Care Unit of Assessment (2), again representing a sizeable proportion of the staff returned.  Here UCL achieved 46% 4* outputs.  For research power we came second in the UK, with 12.9% of overall market share. 
  • To these two sub-panels, the Institute submitted a staggering 15 impact case studies. Read here some of the fabulous examples of the impact of ICH's research.

Submission Data:

  • 181 Members of Staff
  • 159.95 FTE
  • 32 ECRs (30.62 FTE)

Our submission into UOA2 spanned the following departments (this list is as inclusive as possible):

Epidemiology & Public Health

Institute of Child Health [Twitter]

Please see individual websites and social media pages for REF results news.

UoA3 Allied Health Professions, Dentistry, Nursing and Pharmacy

Results News

UOA3A Eastman Dental Institute

The Institute has had notable success in the recent Research Excellence Framework (REF). The percentage of research allied to Dentistry within UCL judged to be 'Internationally excellent' or better has risen from 59% in 2008 to 85%. Research judged to be 'world-leading' has doubled to 29%.

This is a significant outcome that reflects the high quality of the Institute's research training and publications as well as its commitment to maximising the extra-academic impact of its work.

UoA3B School of Pharmacy

The results of the Research Excellence Framework 2014, which assesses the international quality of research outputs, environment and impact, have clearly indicated the world-class standing of UCL SOP. The overall results are expressed in terms of a profile ranging from 4* (world leading) 3* (internationally excellent) 2* (internationally recognized) and 1* (nationally recognized). The School was awarded the following profile:

Profile Scores for UoA3B
4*3*2*1*
47%40%13%0%

This accompanies an historic result for UCL as a whole whereby by using the metric power, which is the grade point average of the profile multiplied by the number of staff submitted, the university is now top in the UK for the first time. The UCL SOP result is above the average for the university, which makes the School's achievement even more remarkable.

Particularly noteworthy was the fact that the research environment for UCL SOP was rated at 100% 4*, indicating a truly outstanding environment in which to perform research. Our impact strategy and case studies were also extremely highly ranked, with 66% 4* and 34% 3*. This is particularly pleasing as it indicated the high level of health care and societal improvement that our research has engendered. These impact case studies ranged from the development of a pharmacist intervention for patients on chronic medication, implementation of an innovative workforce development programme which has since been rolled out internationally, development of novel conjugate therapies and film coatings for oral drug delivery systems, influencing FDA policy on aerosol formulation and development of early diagnosis for a rare neurological disease. 29% of our outputs were deemed 4*, with 51% rated 3* meaning that 80% of our outputs were at the very least internationally excellent and a very high proportion world leading

This is a wonderful result for the School and reflects the hard work and dedication shown by the academic and supporting staff, plus of course the postgraduate and postdoctoral researchers whose expertise and enthusiasm have led to these outcomes. It is a very proud day for the School. It is also a very good day for the profession, as pharmacy schools have in general performed well and our congratulations go to our colleagues within the other UK pharmacy schools. This is now further evidence that pharmaceutical science in the UK, taking the broadest sense of basic, applied, clinical and social science, is world leading and should be cherished and appreciated by the pharmaceutical sector in general.

Professor Duncan Craig, Director & and Professor Robert Harvey, Associate Director for Research

Submission Data

UCL made two submissions into UoA3

UoA 3A Eastman Dental Institute [Twitter]

  • 37 Members of Staff
  • 34.23 FTE
  • 3 ECRs (2.6 FTE)

UoA 3B School of Pharmacy [Twitter, Facebook]

  • 50 Members of Staff
  • 46.8 FTE
  • 6 ECRs (6 FTE)

Please see individual websites and social media pages for REF results news.

UoA4 Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience

Results News

UCL Institute of Neurology (IoN)

UCL Institute of Neurology (IoN) are delighted to announce our extremely positive performance in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) within Unit of Assessment (UoA) 4, Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience, which encompasses our research activity.

UCL came top overall in both the standard power measure and combined 4* and 3* work in this UoA.

REF infographic research power UoA4


Overall, 83 per cent of the submission was rated 'world-leading' or 'internationally excellent' (4*/3*), with 74% of research outputs given these ratings. The research environment was given a 100% world-leading rating and the impact was judged to be over 97% world leading or internationally excellent. The Institute submitted 163 staff, of whom 17 were early career researchers.   Over 92% of eligible staff were submitted to this UoA. This continues our record of exceptional achievement in previous Research Assessment Exercises.

I am delighted that the hard work of all the excellent staff at IoN has contributed to this outstanding performance in REF 14. 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 2015 and beyond.

Professor Michael Hanna, Director of UCL Institute of Neurology

Our research environment was classified at 100 per cent world leading (4*).  

Division of Psychiatry

 

You will have heard that UCL has done exceptionally well in the REF and finally broken the domination of Oxbridge that have until now always claimed the first two positions in those league tables.

 

It is important to remember that the REF submission is not just about the more senior academics that were individually submitted. To produce world class research requires outstanding contributions from all the people involved in the research, including those employed by grants and the support staff. Outstanding REF results come from outstanding teamwork. We have an excellent culture within the division that encourages advice, debate and support. We should also celebrate this as it has contributed to our success. I was particularly pleased that the REF panel gave the academic environment here the highest rating.

As important as the overall result is the improvement since the last assessment in 2008. The trajectory, in the jargon, is upwards.  We are becoming the destination of choice for ambitious young scientists as they can see the exciting opportunities within the Division of Psychiatry and our Faculty.

In our own area we have also done exceptionally well and are now indisputably the leading university for Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience in terms of "research power" - the combination of quality and quantity. This reflects the excellence of the work done here over the last 6 years. The REF result was for 286 people, almost all the Faculty of Brain Sciences that include our Division.

 

 

Glyn Lewis, Director of the Division of Psychiatry

 

 

Submission Data

  • 305 Members of Staff
  • 286.6 FTE
  • 42 ECRs (41.5 FTE)

Our submission into UOA4 spanned the following departments, divisions and Faculties (this list is as inclusive as possible):

Institute of Neurology [Twitter]

Division of Psychiatry [Twitter]

Ear Institute [Twitter, Facebook]

Gatsby Computational Neuroscience Unit

Psychology and Language Sciences [Twitter, Facebook, Instagram]

Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience [Twitter, Facebook]

Please see individual websites and social media pages for REF results news.

UoA5 Biological Sciences

Results News

  • Nationally the UCL submission to UoA5 was third for both 4* and 4/3* X FTE with 95.52% of staff submitted. In first and second place were Oxford and Cambridge with 81.68% and 82.45% of staff submitted respectively.
  • The UCL submission was also =5th for percentage of 4* and 4/3*research environment.

Submission Data

  • 191 Members of Staff
  • 172.9 FTE
  • 55 ECRs (48.9 FTE)

Our submission to UoA5 spanned the following departments and divisions (this list is as inclusive as possible):

Division of Biosciences [Facebook]

Wolfson Institute for Biomedical Research

Please see individual websites and social media pages for REF results news.

UoA7 Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences

Results News

  • Overall rating placed the UCL submission in the Top 10 nationally by Grade Point Average (GPA) score;
  • Also in the Top 10 nationally by percentage of 4/3* outputs and overall GPA;
  • For impact the department was in the Top 10 by percentage of 4* research and GPA;
  • 100% of the 'environment' score was rated as 4 or 3* (i.e. of a standard recognised internationally).

Submission Data

  • 38 Members of Staff
  • 34.15 FTE
  • 8 ECRs (8 FTE)

Our submission into UOA7 was a joint submission with Birkbeck, University of London

Earth Sciences [Twitter, Facebook]

Please see the department website and social media pages for REF results news.

UoA8 Chemistry

Results News

We are delighted with the results from the 2014 REF exercise for the UCL chemistry department. The department was ranked 2nd in the UK (out of 37 departments) for the world-class impact of its research.

It was rated 3rd on research power (behind Oxford and Cambridge). We had the third highest number of staff submitted to the REF of any chemistry department and included all academic staff members. What was particularly pleasing of the 248 research papers we submitted 234 were judged as world leading or internationally excellent and the remaining 14 were nationally important. This is a remarkable achievement and shows the strength of the department in all areas of Organic, Inorganic, Materials, Physical and computational chemistry.

It was further also pleasing to note that we finished 3rd overall based on grade point average multiplied by number of academic staff as this metric will be used to determine relative funding. The chemistry department had the sixth highest grade point average at UCL (up from 23rd in the previous assessment).

(Taken from department website)

Submission Data

  • 62 Members of Staff
  • 62 FTE
  • 14 ECRs (14 FTE)

Please see the department website for REF results news:

Chemistry

UoA9 Physics

Results News

  • Overall submission rated as 4th nationally in terms of 'Research Power' (4* and 4/3* X FTE);
  • 90% of our impact was rated as 4 or 3* (of a world leading or internationally recognised standard);
  • 100% of our environment rated at 4 or 3* (of a world leading or internationally excellent standard);
  • All our eligible staff were submitted to the REF exercise, a total of 110 full-time equivalent staff

As assessed in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) the physics subject area at UCL covers the Department of Physics and Astronomy, the Mullard Space Science Laboratory and much of the London Centre for Nanotechnology.

 Submission Data

  • 113 Members of Staff
  • 110.53 FTE
  • 14 ECRs (14 FTE)

Our submission into UOA spanned the following departments (this list is as inclusive as possible):

Space and Climate Physics: Mullard Space Science Laboratory [Twitter]

Physics and Astronomy 

Please see individual websites and social media pages for REF results news.

UoA10 Mathematical Sciences

Results News

We are delighted to be among the strongest mathematical science departments in the UK: we are 6th in the UK in the amount produced of world leading (4*) research publications.

Submission Data

  • 66 Members of Staff
  • 62.95 FTE
  • 9 ECRs (9 FTE)

Our submission into UoA10 spanned the following departments (this list is as inclusive as possible):

Department of Mathematics

Department of Statistical Science 

Please see individual websites and social media pages for REF results news.

UoA11 Computer Science and Informatics

Results News

In the 2014 Research Excellence Framework (REF) evaluation UCL was ranked in first place for Computer Science, out of 89 Universities assessed, and considerably ahead of other Institutions. 61% of its research submission is rated as world-leading (the highest possible category) and 96% of its research submission is rated as internationally excellent.

UCL researchers in Computer Science and Informatics received a 'grade point average' of 3.57 (out of 4) and submitted 75 staff to be assessed in REF2014. UCL Computer Science has made seminal contributions across the full range of its core strengths and associated 11 research groups and 8 centres, including the Centre for Health Informatics & Multiprofessional Education (CHIME), Biomedical Physics & Biochemical Engineering, and the Centre for Medical Image Computing (CMIC).

As a result its research has produced a deep, lasting and sustained impact, particularly in Internet technologies, cyber security, and all sectors of industry such as retail and finance. The reach of UCL's CS extends to the developing world particularly in healthcare and in extending Internet penetration.

Research impact has been realised at UCL through direct engagement between Computer Science and industry, exemplified by developments in real-time Internet communications which has seen code produced at UCL now found in many mobile devices in use by everyone today.

UCL's policy of embedding knowledge transfer in Computer Science is illustrated in its human-centred approach to security in government and commercial applications, from which knowledge has flowed into private industry and government agencies with lasting and widespread improvements in online safety and security.

Encouraging and facilitating interdisciplinary work has led to significant developments in medical research. Computer Science plays an increasingly crucial role in the development of new analytical and algorithmic tools for use in medicine as exemplified by improvements in prostate cancer diagnosis.

Computer Science's successful stimulation of entrepreneurial work and commercialisation of research is witnessed significantly in its 3D Body Surface Scanning for Anthropometrics & Clothing which supported the creation of three successful spinout companies.

I am immensely proud and honoured to lead a Computer Science Department that has demonstrated such a breadth of research impact across our society. We have led with many seminal contributions in technology that have changed the world; and the REF2014 evaluation is proof of our position as the leader in Computer Science. We will continue to change lives, and we will harness our research to train the next generation of Computer Scientists

Prof John Shawe-Taylor, Head of UCL Computer Science

It is not often that one can compare the exceptional performance and impact of a Computer Science department with the Internet revolution that changed all of our lives - and that I was a part of - but it is true, UCL Computer Science is exceptional in every sense. It is changing our lives and it is changing every sector of industry. Whether it be medical devices and new diagnostic techniques or art and fashion or eGovernment services or keeping our children safe online, they and many other areas of our lives are all part of the core work that UCL Computer Science undertakes in research and brings to its teaching. I am honoured to be part of an outstanding team.

Jane Butler, Vice Dean (Enterprise), Faculty of Engineering Science

One of the great strengths of UCL Computer Science is interdisciplinary research, where we explore new ways of combining computer science with other disciplines, for example, 3D imaging and fashion, interaction design and psychology, and cyber security with crime science. My team explore extensively how technology impacts the lives of both the very young and the very old and everyone in between. As digital technologies continue to change our lives in cities, in the home and in our working lives we will continue to perform high impact work that underpins our REF2014 evaluation result

Prof Yvonne Rogers, Deputy Head of UCL Computer Science

Submission Data

  • 75 Members of Staff
  • 70.7 FTE
  • 20 ECRs (20 FTE)

Please see the department website and social media pages for REF results news:

Computer Science [Twitter, Facebook]

UoA12 Aeronautical, Mechanical, Chemical and Manufacturing Engineering

Results News

Biochemical Engineering Research Quality and Impact Highlighted in REF 2014 Outcome

 

On 18 December the results of the UK Research Excellence Framework (REF 2014) were announced after over 12 months scrutiny of institutional submissions. In national league tables UCL was ranked first for 'research strength' and first for research impact.

This success was reflected in Biochemical Engineering which was part of the UCL submission to Unit of Assessment 12 (UoA12) together with colleagues in Chemical Engineering and the Fluids and Marine Engineering groups of Mechanical Engineering. In terms of the overall 'research strength' rating, the sum of 4* (Excellent) and 3* (Very Good) activity, UCL scored 90% second only to the University of Cambridge. In terms of pure research quality 85% of our research publications were rated 4* ('world leading') or 3* ('internationally excellent') with nearly one quarter in the 4* category.

The Department has always placed significance on the translation of its research into practical outcomes of benefit to society. This was highlighted by the Queen's Anniversary Prize in 2013 and is reinforced in the REF2014 results for research impact. Biochemical Engineering contributed half of the impact case studies to the UoA12 submission covering work on the rapid design of biopharmaceutical manufacturing processes, the use of biocatalysis in the sustainable synthesis of chemicals and pharmaceuticals and the creation of software tools to help companies make decisions on biomanufacturing operations. 100% of the UCL UoA 12 impact case studies were rated either 4* or 3*, higher than at comparable institutions such as the University of Cambridge and Imperial College.

These outcomes reflect the tremendous efforts of all departmental staff, academic, technical and administrative, over the last five years and provide a solid basis on which to base future research.

Submission Data

  • 55 Members of Staff
  • 54.16 FTE
  • 7 ECRs (7 FTE)

Our submission into Uo12 spanned the following departments (this list is as inclusive as possible):

Biochemical Engineering

Chemical Engineering [Twitter

Mechanical Engineering [Twitter]

Please see individual websites and social media pages for REF results news.

UoA13 Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Metallurgy and Materials

Results News

UCL Electronic and Electrical Engineering Receives Top Rating in UK for Research Outputs and  ranked as leading department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering in the UK.

The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) published the results of the 2014 Research Excellence Framework (REF) in which the research of UK universities was evaluated by expert review panels, yesterday. Data on numbers of academic research staff by REF Unit of Assessment have now also been published by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA).

Of departments that submitted all of their academic research staff for assessment, UCL was ranked as the leading department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering in the UK, with 37.7% of its research outputs given the highest 4* rating, 58.3% 3*, 3.3% 2* and 0.7% 1*. 4* research is defined by REF as being "World Leading", 3* as "Internationally Excellent", 2* as "Internationally Recognised" and 1* as "Nationally Recognised".

Departments were also assessed for the non-academic impact of their research and for the quality of their research environment to arrive at an overall rating. Here UCL was ranked as one of the top two departments of Electronic and Electrical Engineering in the UK who submitted all of their academic research staff for assessment, with an overall ratings profile of 40% 4*, 57% 3*, 3% 2* and no 1* or unclassified research.

I am enormously proud of the achievements of my colleagues in the Department, who have managed to achieve even greater research success than in the previous HEFCE research evaluation, carried out in 2008. This outcome confirms our position as one of the leading Electronic and Electrical Engineering Departments in the world.

Professor Alwyn Seeds, Head of UCL Electronic and Electrical Engineering

Submission Data

  • 38 Members of Staff
  • 38 FTE
  • 1 ECRs (1 FTE)

Please see the department website and social media pages for REF results news.

Electronic and Electrical Engineering [Twitter, Facebook]

UoA14 Civil and Construction Engineering

Results News

  • Amongst Top 10 submissions overall in UoA14 by 4* research overall;
  • Amongst Top 10 submissions in UoA14 for 4* outputs and environment

Submission Data

  • 41 Members of Staff
  • 39.1 FTE
  • 10 ECRs (9.6 FTE)

Please see individual websites and social media pages for REF results news:

Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering [Twitter]

UoA15 General Engineering

Submission News

  • 5th on 4* research across overall submission (and =5th for 4/3* work and 6th on GPA);
  • For outputs 6th for 4* research and GPA;
  • =3rd for 4* environment (=1st but 4/3*). 100% of our environment rated as of an internationally excellent. 

Submission Data

  • 55 Members of Staff
  • 53.7 FTE
  • 12 ECRs (12 FTE)

Our submission into Uo15  spanned the following departments (this list is as inclusive as possible):

Medical Physics and Biomedical engineering [Twitter

Mechanical Engineering [Twitter

Surgery and Interventional Science [Twitter

Please see individual websites and social media pages for REF results news.

UoA16 Architecture, Built Environment and Planning

The Bartlett has the most world-leading research in its field in the UK, according to the Government's Research Excellence Framework (REF2014). As one of UCL's ten faculties, The Bartlett's performance directly contributed to the institution's overall success and its confirmation as the top-rated university in the UK for research strength, calculated by a measure of average research score multiplied by staff numbers submitted.

A key component in UCL's research success is that it has excellent faculties like The Bartlett that are leaders in their fields.

Professor Murray Fraser, Vice-Dean of Research for The Bartlett


The Bartlett's submission stands out for its inclusiveness; it submitted 151 scholars (c. 136 FTE overall), which was over twice the size of the nearest other submission to the REF sub-panel, and represents 94% of eligible staff. Nearly a third of the staff members in The Bartlett's submission are Early Career Researchers, more than any other university within the same sub-panel. Every one of its young researchers was included, which demonstrates the faculty's strong collective commitment to the future of built environment research. To further illustrate this point, the research environment that The Bartlett provides for its staff and students was graded as almost 90% at 4* world-leading level, the highest score for the sub-panel.

The Bartlett also submitted the largest number of Impact Case Studies to the sub-panel. Just over half of its research impact was rated as 4* world-leading in quality. The case studies show the breadth and quality of The Bartlett's research impact, and evidence the difference it is making in the outside world at every level ranging from one-off or local projects to national and international policy.

We are delighted to have managed to double the size of our research submission while still scoring significantly higher than we did last time Nearly 50% of The Bartlett's research profile is now at world-leading level, and it is telling that our research strength figure is larger than that of the next three highest ranked institutions combined.

Professor Murray Fraser, Vice-Dean of Research for The Bartlett


These results confirm The Bartlett's position as the UK's most comprehensive faculty of the built environment, unrivalled in its scale, breadth and depth of disciplines, programmes and departments. The Bartlett's areas of expertise include architecture and planning, construction and project management, transport and cultural heritage, through to energy and the Global South.

The Bartlett's results in the REF 2014 exercise are among the very best within UCL, which was ranked 1st overall for its research strength, returning a total of 2,750 scholars (c. 2,566 FTE) as 92% of the eligible staff in the university. UCL's highly inclusive approach, as exemplified by The Bartlett, reflects its status as a genuinely research-intensive university where a supportive environment enables staff to live up to their potential as world-class researchers.

Submission Data

  • 151 Members of Staff
  • 136.26 FTE
  • 44 ECRs (38.48 FTE)

Please see the Faculty website and social media pages for REF results news.

The Bartlett [Twitter]

UoA17 Geography, Environmental Studies and Archaeology

Results News

UoA 17A Archaeology

The outstanding research environment at the UCL Institute of Archaeology has been recognised in the results of the Research Excellence Framework (REF).

The REF is the new system for assessing the quality of research in UK higher education institutions.

In REF 2014 the Institute received the top score of 100% 4* for the excellence of our research environment.

Two thirds (66%) of our research outputs were rated in the 4* or 3* categories (world leading and internationally excellent) while nearly 50% of our research impact was deemed to be of 4* quality.

As would be expected from the largest submitting unit within UK academic archaeology, we submitted the largest volume of research that was deemed to be world-leading. 

UoA17B Geography

UCL Geography remains a top UK department for geographical research according to the 2014 national Research Assessment Framework.

UCL research:

  • Attracts one of the highest scores in Geography for the originality, significance and rigour  of its outputs.
  • Rates particularly well on the reach and significance of its ­impacts.
  • Supports an environment which Is expected to continue carrying out internationally excellent research, including much of world-leading quality.

UCL Geography has been a top department in every national research assessment since the first, held in 1986.

Submission Data

UCL made two submissions into UoA17

17A Institute of Archaeology [Twitter]

  • 62 Members of Staff
  • 60.93 FTE
  • 15 ECRs (15 FTE)

17B Department of Geography [Twitter, Facebook

  • 42 Members of Staff
  • 40.4 FTE
  • 2 ECRs (2 FTE)

Please see individual websites and social media pages for REF results news.

UoA18 Economics and Econometrics

Results News

According to the GPA on the Overall score, the Research Excellence Framework 2014 has ranked the Department of Economics at UCL as:

  • the top Department in the UK in the field of Economics and Econometrics,
  • the top Department at UCL, and
  • the top Department in any field in any university in the UK.

UCL Economics overall GPA score was 3.78 (out of 4) with 79% of all indicators of output rated at the highest 4* level.

According to the REF 2014 Panel, 69.7% of our "research outputs" were rated in the 4* (world leading) category, 92% of our "impact case studied" were rated 4*, and we scored a perfect 100% of 4* contributions in the "environment" category. This implies that we have top overall score (79/20/1) and top output score (69.7/28.2/2.1) of any department in any discipline in the country

This is an extraordinarily positive outcome which documents the Department's outstanding quality in Research. It is the fruit of many years hard work aimed at producing a world leading Department excelling in producing frontier-shifting and policy relevant research.

We wish to congratulate all members of the UCL Economics community with this outstanding achievement which puts the Department firmly amongst the very most prominent Departments in the UK University Sector

Professor Orazio Attanasio, Head of Department;

Professor Morten Ravn, leader of the REF submission

UOA18 % of 4*
 OverallResearch outputImpactEnvironment
UCL7969.792.0100
LSE6956.364.4100
Oxford5642.664.4100
Cambridge4754.550.012.5
Warwick4542.660.037.5
 

 

Submission Data

  • 42 Members of Staff
  • 36.9 FTE
  • 8 ECRs (8 FTE)

Please see the department website and social media pages for REF results news.

Department of Economics [Twitter]

UoA19 Business and Management Studies

Results News

The research performed in the Department of Management Science and Innovation over the last six years has been rated as "world-leading" in the Research Excellence Framework 2014 (REF). The REF is a new system for assessing the quality of research in UK universities, used to determine the research funding that each university will receive over the next five years. 

The REF 2014 results, released on 18 December 2014, show that 55% of the department's research output was deemed to be world-leading. UCL as a whole has been rated as the top UK university by research strength, with the greatest amount of world-leading research in medical and social sciences of any university in the UK.

The REF results are hugely encouraging for our department, and show that our strategy of producing high-quality, high-impact research focussed on the world's leading academic journals is working. Combined with the department's excellent NSS (National Student Survey) results released in August, which placed our teaching quality in the top 10% in the UK, we can now safely claim to be one of the top management departments in the UK for both research and teaching.

Professor Bert De Reyck, Head of the Department of Management Science and Innovation

Submission Data

  • 13 Members of Staff
  • 13 FTE
  • 7 ECRs (7 FTE)

Please see the department website and social media pages for REF results news:

Department of Management Science and Innovation [Twitter]

UoA20 Law

Results News

Environment

The Faculty has been ranked number 1 in the UK for its world-leading research environment, and was the only law school to score a 100% 4* rating in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2014 exercise for its research environment.

The Faculty has rightly been recognised by the Law Panel for its outstanding and dynamic research culture and the real world impact of its research. I am particularly pleased that our REF2014 submission covers the breadth and depth of the research community at UCL Laws. We have outstanding researchers from a wide range of disciplinary backgrounds and jurisdictions, at all stages of their careers, and we have created a strong international and multi-disciplinary research environment that supports world-leading research in the law

Professor Dame Hazel Genn, Dean of UCL Laws

 

UCL Laws strong performance reflected the overall trend across UCL. UCL's REF20124 submission rate was amongst the highest of any institution, reflecting UCL's role as a truly research-intensive university with a supportive environment that empowers all researchers to live up to their potential as world-leading researchers.

UCL as a whole was rated the top UK university for research strength, by a measure of average research score multiplied by staff numbers submitted.

UCL researchers received a 'grade point average' of 3.22 (out of 4) and submitted over 2,500 staff to be assessed in REF2014, giving UCL an overall research power greater than both the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge.

Our research strength has been rated top not only in the overall results, but in each component: our publications and other outputs, our research environment and our research impact. This reflects the passion and commitment of our researchers - as well as those who provide them with professional support - to fulfil our potential as London's Global University, both generating applicable knowledge and expanding the potential of human thought and action.

Professor David Price, UCL Vice-Provost (Research)

Impact

REF 2014 has rated research by UCL Laws academics as number one in England for real world impact.

A new feature of the REF2014 exercise is that law school research is now judged on the impact it has outside of academia, and recognition is given to research that engages with and influences society, business, government and the law.

Research by members of the UCL Laws Faculty has been rated as having the highest real world impact amongst all law faculties in England, with 87% of UCL Laws' research rated as having 4* world-leading impact in the real world.

I am especially pleased that our longstanding reputation for high-quality legal research with real world impact has been acknowledged in the REF2014 exercise. UCL Laws has pioneered legal research that provides a clear evidence base for changes in the law. Our research has had far-reaching influences on the development of government policies, national and international laws and legal principles, and contributed to improvements in justice policy, court procedure and legal practice, as well as public debate and understanding of the law and legal rights.

Professor Dame Hazel Genn, Dean of UCL Laws
UCL Laws research that was singled out for its real world impact includes ground-breaking work on the legality of torture, access to justice, environmental sanctions, online legal transcription, trial by jury and the appointment and training of judges. The reality of publicly-funded research in the 21st century is that it must have relevance to the wider world outside of academia. Research at UCL has made a real and lasting contribution to a wide range of critical social issues, from citizens' access to courts and justice to the legality of torture of terrorist suspects, effective sanctions against environmental polluters and how to choose the best judges and ensure trial by jury in the internet age.

Professor Cheryl Thomas, UCL Laws REF2014 Lead


Submission Data

  • 51 Members of Staff
  • 47.04 FTE
  • 5 ECRs (4.2 FTE)

Please see the department website and social media pages for REF results news:

Faculty of Laws [Twitter]

UoA21 Politics and International Studies

Results News

We are delighted to announce that the UCL Department of Political Science ranked 5th on Times Higher GPA and 2nd on the Times Higher Subject Ranking on Intensity, the Guardian's subject ranking, as well as on other measures.

The Political Studies Association website provides a ranking that corrects for differences among departments in number of staff submitted, as does Professor Thomas Pluemper with his 80% rule.

UoA21: Various Measures
Times Higher
GPA
Times Higher
Subject  Ranking on Intensity

Guardian

% Intl Excellent

PSA GPA

Research Intensity

Top 80% of FTE
EssexEssexLSEEssexEssex
LSEUCL2 UCLUCLUCL
SheffieldOxford2 SheffieldOxfordLSE
OxfordWarwickEssexWarwickOxford
UCLLSEExeterQueen's U BelfastSouthampton

 

 

Submission Data

  • 30 Members of Staff
  • 30 FTE
  • 10 ECRs (10 FTE)

Please see the department website and social media pages for REF results news:

Department of Political Science [Twitter]

UoA22 Social Work and Social Policy

Results News

  • 84% of research submitted was rated at 4/3* which is a world leading or internationally excellent standard;
  • UCL submitted the highest proportion of eligible staff into UoA22 (106.67%);
  • The unit was rated nationally in the Top10 overall by percentage of 4/3* work;
  • = 1st in terms of the real world impact of our work, with 100% of the impact submission rated as world leading;
  • Our environment was rated at 100% 4/3* of an internationally excellent standard.

Submission Data

  • 13 Members of Staff
  • 12.8 FTE
  • 4 ECRs (4 FTE)

Please see the department website and social media pages for REF results news:

Security and Crime Science [Twitter, Facebook

UoA24 Anthropology and Development Studies

Results News

We are proud to report that we entered 100% of eligible research staff in the Research Excellence Framework. We improved upon our excellent performance in RAE 2008 - the majority of research outputs were ranked in the top 4* and 3* categories. Overall, we are now the highest ranked London anthropology department. We achieved the second highest percentage of 4* quality of any Department in the country.

Our inclusive and collaborative approach is reflected in the 100% Research Environment evaluation, evidence of the quality of the experience that graduate and undergraduate students can expect in this vibrant department. This important marker is testimony to our exciting research-oriented seminar culture, its exceptional broad vision of Anthropology, the remarkable level of external grant income, the career opportunities opened for graduates, and the esteem in which the Department's distinguished academics are held internationally.

80% of our impact studies met the top 4* or 3* criteria and documented the productive contribution that Anthropology makes as a critical and questioning practice to the globally diverse societies with which our researchers and teachers engage. Impact case studies described the beneficial impact that research in our department is making to sustainability in West and Central Africa, to wellbeing in Bhutan, and to the lives of socially marginalized Londoners through documentary film-making. We believe that Anthropology matters and our results confirm this!

Submission Data

  • 33 Members of Staff
  • 31.37 FTE
  • 3 ECRs (3 FTE)

Please see individual websites and social media pages for REF results news.

UCL Anthropology [Twitter]

UoA25 Education

Results News

 

Our very strong REF 2014 performance entrenches the IOE's leadership position. I am particularly pleased that we entered more early career researchers than the size of the entire entry from the next highest performer in education.

Professor Chris Husbands, Director of the UCL Institute of Education

Research reputation

The UCL Institute of Education (IOE) is judged to be the world's leading centre for education and applied social science.

No.1 in the world

We are currently ranked number one for education worldwide.¹

Moreover, the latest official assessment of research quality in UK universities (REF 2014) ², confirms our dominant position in UK education research: 48% of the IOE's research was rated as 4* [world leading], with 74% of the IOE's impact case studies ranked as 4*; the IOE scored a maximum possible 4* score of 100% for its research environment.

Our performance was stronger than in the last research assessment exercise. In the 2008 exercise, the average score for IOE research activity was 2.9.  In  2014, our average score was 3.21 - a remarkable performance given that we entered the same number of staff for assessment. 

The best measure of the IOE's overall influence and quality is perhaps 'research power': average score multiplied by the size of the entry.  On this measure, our research power score was well above 2008, and more than four times higher than the next best performer.

UCL as a whole has performed outstandingly, and on the key measure of research power tops the table ahead of Oxford, Cambridge, King's College London and Imperial. The IOE's performance within UCL is strong: our average score at 3.21 matches UCL's of 3.22.

The IOE conducts around a quarter of the educational research carried out in UK Universities. We are also the second highest recipient of social science research funding among UK higher education institutions.

Our research is funded by a diverse range of organisations including research councils, charities, government departments and international agencies. The IOE's income from research projects was £12.2 million in 2013-14, reflecting a high level of success in a competitive funding environment.

Submission Data

UoA25 includes two separate UCL submissions:

25 A UCL Institute of Education [Twitter]

  • 249 Members of Staff
  • 219 FTE
  • 39 ECRs (35.85 FTE)

25B UCL Medical Education

Submission made by Academic Centre for Medical Education (and other UCL staff)

  • 11 Members of Staff
  • 8.2 FTE
  • 3 ECRs (2 FTE)

Please see individual websites and social media pages for REF results news.

UoA27 Area Studies

Results News

SSEES entered 39.6 academics as part of Panel D: Area Studies, which received 483.1 submissions. Among 23 units of assessment SSEES came out as:

  • the second ranked unit in Area studies (behind Oxford and ahead of SOAS) in terms of research power or quality index adjusted by number of FTE researchers
  • 43% of our submission is classified as 4* within which is included 84% of impact and 70% of environment
  • second in the UK (below Oxford and above LSE) in terms of share of 4 star submissions weighted by number of FTE staff
  • the second best improved unit within the UCL when compared to 2008.

Slavo Radošević thanked everyone for their individual efforts which contributed to the overall outcome and reflected the team effort.  He gave special thanks to the 'impact cases', REF managers and administrators, Library and support staff who also made a contribution to SSEES's success.

Submission Data

  • 40 Members of Staff
  • 39.36 FTE
  • 3 ECRs (3 FTE)

Please see the department website and social media pages for REF results news:

SSEES [Twitter]

UoA28 Modern Languages

Submission Data

  • 50 Members of Staff
  • 48.47 FTE
  • 3 (3 FTE)

Please see the department website and social media pages for REF results news:

School of European Languages, Culture & Society (SELCS) [Twitter]

UoA29 English Language and Literature

Results News

UCL English Top in the UK for Research Publications

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In the REF 2014 assessment, UCL English Department obtained the highest score of all UK English Departments for the proportion of its research outputs that were rated 'World-leading'. 49.5% of the publications of our academic staff achieved the highest possible score of 4* from the REF panel, a higher percentage than any other English department. Of all our research, 80.2% was judged either 'World-leading' or 'Internationally Excellent' in terms of its originality, significance and rigour.


See the Comparative Chart for UK English Departments compiled from the REF 2014 website.

 

Submission Data

  • 29 Members of Staff
  • 28.4 FTE
  • 5 (5 FTE)

Please see the department website  for REF results news:

English Department

UoA30 History

Results News

Tweet on Results

Submission Data

  • 43 Members of Staff
  • 42.2 FTE
  • 4 FTE (4 FTE)

UCL's submission in UOA30 spanned two departments:

History [Twitter]

Science and Technology Studies (STS) [Twitter]

Please see the department websites and social media pages for REF results news

UoA31 Classics

Results News

  • 100% of the impact submission rated at 4* world leading or 3* internationally excellent;
  • 100% of the environment submission rated at 4* world leading or 3* internationally excellent;
  • 100% of eligible staff submitted
  • Rated at 8th nationally in the Times Higher by their measure of research intensity.

Classics Intensity Table

 

Submission Data

  • 13 Members of Staff
  • 13 FTE
  • 4 (4 FTE)

Please see the department website and social media pages for REF results news:

Department of Greek and Latin [Twitter, Facebook]

UoA32 Philosophy

Results News

  • Department rated in top 3 nationally in terms of 4* (and 4*X FTE) outputs
  • Rated as joint 1st for 4* impact

Submission Data

  • 25 Members of Staff
  • 23.95 FTE
  • 7 ECR's (7 FTE)

UCL's submission in UOA32 spanned two departments:

Philosophy [Twitter]

Science and Technology Studies (STS) [Twitter]

Please see the departmental websites and social media pages for REF results news

UoA33 Theology and Religious Studies

Results News

  • Overall result: the department was 3rd in the panel in terms of its overall Grade Point Average (GPA);
  • In Top 10 for 4* (and 4/3*) overall research in Theology panel;
  • 5th nationally for 4/3*research outputs (top 10 on pure 4*);
  • 4th in panel for overall GPA;
  • Top 10 for 4* impact.

Submission Data

  • 7 Members of Staff
  • 7 FTE

Please see the department website and social media pages for REF results news:

Hebrew & Jewish Studies [Twitter]

UoA34 Art and Design: History, Practice and Theory

Results News

History of Art

The outstanding quality of UCL History of Art has been recognized, with 85% of the Department of History of Art's research overall rated 'world-leading' or 'internationally excellent'.

UCL History of Art performed very strongly not only in the quality of our publications and outputs, but also in the new category of Research Impact. We have been rated in the top 5 History of Art Departments for 3* and 4* research in the country, with an exceptional 100% staff submission. The results demonstrate UCL History of Art's success and commitment to world-class cutting-edge research.

Slade School

In the 2014 Research Excellence Framework, 79% of the Slade's research activity was recognised as being in the top two categories of 4* ('world leading') or 3* ('internationally excellent') while 100% of the impact of our research activity was recognised as having either outstanding or very considerable impact in terms of its reach and significance. With 95% of eligible staff included in the submission, this confirms the Slade as one of the country's leading university departments for research in Fine Art.

Submission Data

UCL made two submissions into UoA34:

UoA34 A  History of Art

  • 17 Members of Staff
  • 17 FTE
  • 2 ECRs (2 FTE)

UoA34B Slade School [Twitter]

  • 30 Members of Staff
  • 19 FTE
  • 4 ECRs (2.8 FTE)

Please see the department websites and social media pages for REF results news.

UoA36 Communication, Cultural & Media Studies, Library & Information Management

Results News

  • In the Top10 by the 4* X FTE research strength rating
  • All academic staff submitted (102.6% of eligible staff)
  • 76% of impact and 80% of environment rated as world leading or internationally excellent
  • =6th in panel UoA36 in research intensity as per formula used by the Times Higher

DIS Intensity Ranking Table

 

Submission Data

  • 19 Members of Staff
  • 17.35 FTE
  • 7 (7 FTE)

Please see the department website and social media pages for REF results news:

Department of Information Studies [Twitter]