Our REF2014 results

 

Over 69% of the research we submitted for review to the 2014 Research Excellence Framework achieved the two top grades: internationally excellent and world leading. We outperformed the newer universities in Scotland.

This is particularly important for us as a young university and shows the Highlands and Islands is more than capable of holding our own in a very competitive research environment, not only in Scotland, but in the UK and internationally.

The result shows strong evidence of developing research capacity across a broad range of subjects and underpins current and future economic activity in the Highlands and Islands, making a real difference to the environment, to the business community and to people’s lives.

Ratings awarded in the Research Excellence Framework inform funding decisions by the SFC. In addition, the new framework aims to provide accountability for public funding of research and demonstrate its benefits, in addition to providing benchmarks and reputational yardsticks.

Unit of assessment	Profile	FTE category A staff submitted	4*	3*	2*	1*	U
Allied health professions, dentistry, nursing and pharmacy	Outputs		12	45	40	3	0
	Impacts		27	73	0	0	0
	Environment		25	63	13	0	0
	Overall	5.2	17	53	28	2	0
Earth systems and environmental sciences	Outputs		15	61	21	4	0
	Impacts		10	90	0	0	0
	Environment		15	60	25	0	0
	Overall	32.45	14	66	17	3	0
Geography, environmental studies and archaeology	Outputs		2	36	51	7	5
	Impacts		0	60	40	0	0
	Environment		13	38	25	25	0
	Overall	13.20	3	41	45	8	3
Area studies	Outputs		11	53	32	0	5
	Impacts		20	60	20	0	0
	Environment		40	60	0	0	0
	Overall	7.25	17	55	25	0	3
Language and linguistics	Outputs		14	41	36	9	0
	Impacts		0	60	40	0	0
	Environment		50	40	10	0	0
	Overall	5.80	16	45	33	6	0
History	Outputs		6	53	35	6	0
	Impacts		50	50	0	0	0
	Environment		20	40	40	0	0
	Overall	4.20	17	50	29	4	0
Notes : 4* Quality that is world leading 3* Quality that is internationally excellent 2* Quality that is recognised internationally 1* Quality that is recognised nationally U Quality below the standard of nationally recognised or work that is not eligible for the research excellence framework