REF 2021 - UCL Institute of the Americas

The quality and social impact of UCL Institute of the Americas research have been recognised in the Research Excellence Framework 2021. We have been ranked 1st for Area Studies and for Impact.

REF2021_area_studies

REF 2021 is the second assessment carried out under the Research Excellence Framework (REF), with the first one issued in 2014. The UCL Institute of the Americas is proud to be ranked 1st in the UK for Area Studies in the 2021 REF (Research Excellence Framework) based on the overall quality of our research as measured by GPA. 97% of our submission was rated 4* (‘world-leading’) or 3* (‘internationally excellent’), and our overall GPA was 3.69. This was the department’s first submission to the REF, which makes our performance particularly positive.

REF2021_impact

UCL Institute of the Americas impact | Case studies 

Dr Par Engstrom’s work on torture prevention in Latin America and Professor Maxine Molyneux’s on cash transfers in the developing world both reflect the important connections between the Institute of the Americas and the world of public policy.

REF2021 - Changing policy design of cash transfer programmes internationally

Changing policy design of cash transfer programmes internationally

The Department for International Development commissioned Transforming Cash Transfers research, directed by Professor Maxine Molyneux, which benefitted over two million households in five countries.

REF2021 - Changing INGO Policy Design on Torture Prevention in Chile

Changing INGO Policy Design on Torture Prevention in Chile

Dr Par Engstrom’s research on torture prevention changed the strategic priorities of the Association for the Prevention of Torture and led to the introduction of new torture-prevention legislation

Key highlights

  • The UCL Institute of the Americas is proud to be ranked 1st in the UK for Area Studies in the 2021 REF (Research Excellence Framework) based on the overall quality of our research as measured by GPA.
  • Overall, 97% of our submission was rated 4* (‘world-leading’) or 3* (‘internationally excellent’), and our overall GPA was 3.69. This was the department’s first submission to the REF, which makes our performance particularly positive.
  • UCL Institute of the Americas ranked 1st for impact, with both of our impact case studies ranked 4* (‘world leading’).

REF 2021 News

About UCL Institute of the Americas