Data and tools to support REF 2021
The UK’s Research Excellence Framework (REF) requires an enormous investment of time and effort from higher education institutions (HEIs) in preparing for the submission of their research for national assessment. Some tasks and requirements are clearly defined, while others require HEIs to think more broadly and outside of the box.
We support UK HEIs
Our diverse yet specialised portfolio companies can support UK HEIs by collating evidence for impact and excellence.
An overview of how we can help with your REF preparations
| Symplectic | Dimensions | Altmetric | |
|---|---|---|---|
| REF2 Research Outputs | Elements’ dedicated assessment module enables you to manage your UoA submission and comply with all mandatory REF data and justification statements. This includes identification, proposal, review, selection, attribution, and Open Access compliance | Compare your Institutionally held data with Dimensions’ world view on your staff’s outputs and research in context to retrieve a fuller picture of your output portfolio, including OA status and bibliometrics | From social media to policy citations, Altmetric’s insights can help you discover additional context in order to help inform your REF2 selections |
| REF3 Impact case studies | Elements’ dedicated Impact module enables you to gather impact narratives, evidence, links, and metadata to help inform case study selection and submission. | Dimensions enables you to gain insights into your UoA’s research portfolio, in context: grants, patents, and clinical trial links show you your unit’s research impact beyond citation counts to give you a fuller picture | Identify your research outputs’ links to policy documents, patents and online activity such as news and blogs to help evidence and corroborate impact case studies |
| REF5 Research Environment | Collect, collate and report on professional activities in your UoA to inform your submission strategy and populate your REF5a and REF5b Research Environment statements | Gain insights into the context of your UoA’s research (including patents, citations, grants, funders, collaborations, Open Access) to inform your submission strategy and populate your REF5a and REF5b Research Environment statements | Offering a comprehensive overview of research impact indicators and links to policy documents, patents and online media, Almetric’s insights can help enrich and underpin your REF5a and REF5b Research Environment statements |
Plan Ahead With Our Webinars
Boosting your REF 2021 submission
Watch our webinar to learn how Dimensions’ new UoA categorisation can support your REF submission and provide you with new insights.
Plan ahead for REF 2021
This insightful 60-minute webinar will give you more information about how our tools can help you with your submission for REF 2021.
Research in the context of SDGs
Watch our webinar to learn how Dimensions’ new UoA categorisation can support your REF submission and provide you with new insights.
Additional Reading
The nature, scale and beneficiaries of research impact An initial analysis of Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2014 impact case studies – King’s College London and Digital Science
This report is based on an analysis of the 6,679 non-redacted impact case studies that were submitted to the 2014 REF. Using a mix of text-mining approaches and qualitative analysis, the nature, scale and beneficiaries of the non-academic impact of research is described.
The Ascent of Open Access – Digital Science
An analysis of the Open Access landscape since the turn of the millennium. It compares the leading countries for research outputs as well as Open Access collaboration trends.
The Diversity of UK research– Digital Science
The economic and societal impact of university research seen through a total of 6,975 case studies. This Report contains visualisations of the knowledge networks underpinning the impact of UK university research.
The REF guidance isn’t trying to catch you out – Catriona Firth – Head of REF Policy at Research England
Full list of REF abbreviations – For a full list please see page 121 on the Guidance on submission document
