Research Excellence Framework

A person wearing a while lab coat and blue gloves, working on a computer

The Research Excellence Framework (REF) shows the world-leading research undertaken at The Open University and its impact.

What is the REF?

The Research Excellence Framework assesses the quality of research in UK higher education institutions. Assessment outcomes are used to inform the allocation of approximately £2 billion per year of public funding for universities with the aim of securing a world class, dynamic and responsive academic research base.

Beyond its primary use for informing the allocation of government funds to each HEI institution across the four nations, the REF provides accountability for public investment in research, demonstrates the benefits of academic research, and provides important reputational yardsticks and benchmarking information about the performance of each university (both at an institutional and discipline level).

The REF also provides a rich evidence base to inform strategic decisions on national research priorities, creates a strong performance incentive for universities and academic researchers and informs decisions on resource allocation within each university and other relevant funding bodies.

In short, the REF matters to The Open University (OU) because it affects QR income; determines our eligibility to apply for research project funding from some funders; and reputation (which in turn affects our ability to attract partners, staff and student talent).

The REF exercise runs every several years, providing a rich longitudinal picture of the academic research landscape, environment and quality. In each exercise, the University submits examples of its strongest research outputs and resultant impact.

The OU submitted to 21 Units of Assessment in REF 2021.

View the headlines of the results

Code of Practice

Each participating institution is required to develop and implement a REF Code of Practice. The Code sets out technical and procedural detail on our decision making, management and oversight arrangements in the delivery of our REF submission. The Code has been approved by the REF funding bodies. OU staff can access further guidance on the Code (internal link only)..

Contact the REF team

The OU’s REF 2021 submission was coordinated by Research and Innovation Services. The Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Research and Innovation, Professor Mark Brandon, is the accountable officer.