The University of Roehampton has received outstanding results in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 published today.
Research from the University of Roehampton was submitted across 11 Units of Assessment, representing all subject disciplines from the institution.
The REF2021 results demonstrate that 77% of research submitted by the University of Roehampton was "world leading" or "internationally excellent", an increase of 11% on 2014. The University has been jointly recognised as the best modern university in the country for research, and the highest-ranked modern university in London. Overall, the University has been ranked 51 in the country for quality of research, an increase of nine places on REF2014. It has also seen significant improvements in the impact element of the exercise, ranking 38th overall, with a rise of 26 places since REF2014.
The University's pioneering research has been carried out in all six Schools and Faculties. Particular highlights include the impact of research conducted in Psychology, Education and the Arts.
In Psychology, Dr James Davies' research into drug dependency and withdrawal effects from prescribed anti-depressants has shaped the work of the Council for Evidence-based Psychiatry and the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Prescribed Drug Dependence. In 2019, the UK's National Institute for Health and Care Excellence changed its clinical guidelines on antidepressant withdrawal as a direct result of Dr Davies' research findings.
In Education, research by Professor Adam Ockelford into the musical development of children across the spectrum of neurodiversity led to the development of new frameworks that have transformed the educational experiences and progress of children with special educational needs through the introduction of new teaching strategies, music curricula, resources, qualifications and assessment protocols in a wide range of educational contexts.
In Arts, Dr Sara Houston has led pioneering research demonstrating that dance can have a positive impact the symptoms of Parkinson's disease. This research has changed dance practice and transformed lives for people with Parkinson's across Australia, Europe and North America.
The REF is the national system used by the four UK higher education funding bodies to assess the quality of research in higher education institutions in the UK. Each university was evaluated across three areas for REF 2021 over the period 2013 to 2020: the quality of research outputs (publications, performances, and exhibitions), the impact of research (its effect on, change or benefit to the economy, society, policy, culture and quality of life), and the research environment (including research strategy, income and research degrees).
For the full REF 2021 results, please visit here.