Focus
Next steps for the Research Excellence Framework
January 2024
This conference will bring together policymakers and stakeholders to discuss the future of the Research Excellence Framework (REF).
Morning, Tuesday, 5 March 2024
It follows the publication of initial decisions on the high-level design of REF 2029, recently delayed from 2028, following concerns over plans to fully break the link between staff and institutional submissions. The delay also aims to allow universities to consider preparations needed to use HESA data to determine REF volume measures, and give providers more time to rework institutional codes of practice.
Discussion will explore the ongoing development of REF 2029 as well as the overall future of the REF, along with the impact of reform on research culture, environments and incentives.
We are pleased to be able to include keynote sessions with: Rebecca Fairbairn, Director of REF, Research England; and Rachel Hewitt, Chief Executive, MillionPlus Association for Modern Universities.
Overall sessions in the agenda include discussion on:
- Early reactions to the high-level design of REF 2029:
- Deliberation and implementation: considering practicalities of implementing the framework at both individual provider and wider sector levels
- Submissions: discussing the split between staff and institutional submissions – changes to the nature of the framework’s administrative burden on research institutions
- Implications for institutional behaviours: increasing the utility of the REF as a tool to improve research quality and impact – reworking of institutional codes of practice
- Utilising data: preparations for using Higher Education Statistics Agency data to determine REF volume measures
- Research culture and incentives: new weightings and their impact on the structure of the UK’s research culture – the potential for research to become more collaborative and interdisciplinary
- Promoting research integrity: driving the move to open access through a decreased emphasis on individual contributions in favour of a wider departmental focus
- Considerations for future REF design refinements: exploring concerns that the new REF doesn’t focus adequately on freedom of expression in its discussion of research cultures
- REF in the research landscape:
- Research funding: assessing the appropriateness of the REF as a mechanism to assign research funding – exploring alternative options for more formative assessment
- Informing national strategy: utilising REF outcomes and results to inform national strategic priorities, identify competitive advantages and provide an evidence base for government policy and planning
- Performance incentives: enhancing the REF as a tool of national research strategy – examining alignment of the REF with government priorities
- International principles: latest thinking on European research assessment reform – impact on, and opportunities for, future alignment and collaboration across all levels
The conference will be an opportunity for stakeholders to consider the issues alongside key policy officials who are due to attend from DfE; DSIT; Department for the Economy, NI; IPO; POST and UKHSA.
More information: https://www.westminsterforumprojects.co.uk/conference/REF-24
OSH UPDATE + FIRE
You will find many examples of good practices, information, guidance and advice, research reports, leaflets and much more that has been brought together in OSH UPDATE + FIRE www.oshupdate.com – THE key tool to all your happiness, health, safety and fire information requirements!
OSH UPDATE + FIRE is:
- is easily searchable by keywords, titles, journal names, standard number, authors, organisations, and will keep you and your colleagues alerted to hot topics such as air pollution, robots in the workplace, stress, mental health, wellbeing and aggression in the workplace, workplace health risks, lone workers, preparedness and business continuity, risk assessment, bioterrorism, management of road risks, all aspects of fire and related fire topics, workplace health and safety and much more.
- long established from mid 1990s with some of the databases in the collection service having information going back over 80 years or more.
- arguably the largest electronic collection in the world in these very wide subject areas from worldwide sources. There is a special collection of OSH legislation, guidance and advice within OSH UPDATE and FIRE!
- The 26 databases and contents are from worldwide class organisations such as the US NIOSH, the UK Health and Safety Executive, the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work and many more similar organisations in the world.
This time of the year is a good time for all organisations worldwide to review their health and safety goals for 2024 and decide on the training or re-training that is needed for all levels of staff whether they are working from home or actually in the workplace and update their information resources.
Check out these successful efforts that are in OSH UPDATE + FIRE collection www.oshupdate.com and OSHWORLD www.oshworld.com and introduce them into your workplace!
- It is always good to keep researching and finding out if there are services and other ways of keeping up to date in this fast-changing world of ours.
- Time is precious and many people are really stretched in their jobs and find it difficult to keep ahead in current knowledge that they should have for their jobs.
- So help is at hand for those working in health, safety, fire and fire related industries which are brought together in an easy to use web service entitled OSH UPDATE + FIRE www.oshupdate.com that is constantly updated.
Then try these long established Practical, Affordable Solutions for your health, safety, fire and environment information needs from Sheila Pantry Associates Ltd.
For a 15 DAY FREE NO OBLIGATION TRIAL contact: Sheila Pantry Associates Ltd | email: sp@sheilapantry.com | or fill in the Interest form www.sheilapantry.com/interest.html