REF2021 Results

The UCL Department of Science and Technology Studies has contributed to many Units of Assessment (UoA) in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021, with the largest groups of staff in the Department joining UCL colleagues in Philosophy (6 persons) and History (8).

STS staff also joined UCL colleagues in the following UoAs:

     - Earth Science and Environment (1);

     - Law (1);

     - Social Work and Social Policy (1);

     - Education (1);

     - Communication, Culture, Media Studies Research, Library and Information Management (1).

Overall, the results are excellent and STS is equally proud of the submissions made to all UoAs to which colleagues across the Department contributed.

In particular, the Philosophy UoA scored 1st across the country for overall percentage of research at 4*. STS supplied two of the three REF Case Studies for the Philosophy UoA, led by Professor Phyllis Illari and Professor Sarah Edwards. 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). The Philosophy Environment Statement was co-written by Prof. Veronique Munoz Darde (Philosophy) and Prof. Emma Tobin (STS).

For History, the results make the UoA 6th across the country for overall percentage, an 18% improvement on our performance in REF2014. UCL’s History UoA was 4th within the UK among 81 History UoAs. The History REF submission was led by Prof. Margot Finn (History) assisted by a team including Prof. Jon Agar (STS).

Commenting on the REF2021 results, Professors Jon Agar and Emma Tobin, Joint Heads of the UCL Department of Science and Technology Studies, stated:

“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.”

For further details on the UCL REF2021, please visit the UCL REF Hub, which allows users to explore our outstanding results and details of submitted case studies spanning UCL's breadth of disciplines. For information on the research carried out in STS, please visit our Research webpage.

The Philosophy and History UoA results are presented below in detail:

Philosophy UoA RESULTS

Overall 4* 60 (REF2014 46%)

Outputs 4* 39 (REF2014 34.1%)

Impact 4* 100 (REF2014 80%)

Environment 4* 80 (REF2014 50%)

The results make the Philosophy UoA 1st across the country for overall percentage of research at 4*. We have 60%, and the next closest are York (58%), and Birmingham (56%). Others are well down: Cambridge (51% 4*), LSE (47% 4*), St Andrews (46% 4*), Oxford (41% 4*), and KCL (41% 4*). We are third for GPA, behind York and Birmingham. Philosophy at UCL scored 3rd for environment - after KCL and Cambridge. The collaboration in the environment narrative between STS and Philosophy saw a significant increase in the environment from 50% in REF2014 to 80%.

This represents a 14% uplift in 4* since REF2014.

History UoA RESULTS

Overall 4* 60%

Outputs 4* 52.3%

Impact 4* 60%

Environment 4* 87.5%

The results make the History UoA 6th across the country for overall percentage, and is an 18% improvement on our performance in REF2014. (As an institution, UCL’s overall improvement was 15.6%). UCL’s History UoA was 4th within the UK among 81 History UoAs as measured by Grade Point Average (GPA), as well as 1st for overall History GPA in London and ditto within the Russell Group; 91% of the History UoA submission was scored either 4* or 3*; 85% of the Outputs, 100% of the Impact and 100% of the Environment scored 4*-3*.