Education

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Our results from REF 2021

The newly published results from the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 confirms that nearly 80 per cent of our education research activity is in the highest categories – 4 star and 3 star – which are classified respectively as ‘world leading’ and ‘internationally excellent’. This places us as Scotland’s top-ranked institution, and ranked 3^rd in the UK, for education research quality and breadth (Times Higher Education).

We focus on tackling real-world problems, employing advanced data-led methods and interdisciplinary approaches that lead to demonstrable change. The many ways in which our research can impact on understanding and decision-making for policymakers, practitioners and the public is illustrated by the scope and reach of our work.

Our pioneering research positively transforms people’s lives, whether by working to end violence against children in many countries of the world, addressing inequity and social injustice, or providing global leadership in digital education. Underpinning our success is a specialism in advanced quantitative research in Education and wide-ranging expertise in research methodologies and methods.

Our research anticipates, influences and responds to the educational challenges of a fast-changing world, aiming to find solutions and create lasting impact. Coming soon after being named as 14^th in the world by the QS World University ranking for Education, we are proud of our world-leading position at the forefront of educational research and practice.

Notes

The Research Excellence Framework (REF) is the UK’s system for assessing the quality of research in UK higher education institutions. It is a process of expert review of research within UK higher education which is carried out by panels in each of 34 subject-based areas. The review covers the period 2014 to 2020. Membership of the panels is made up of respected users of research as well as senior academics drawn from the UK and overseas to ensure that UK research is judged by international standards. REF 2021 is designed to provide accountability for public funding of research and to produce evidence of the benefits of this investment. The outcomes provide measures of success that inform the selective allocation of funding for research over the next few years.

Three distinct elements are assessed by the panel: the quality of outputs, such as publications, the impact of the research beyond academia, and the environment that supports research. 

Rankings and reputation