For the purposes of the REF, impact is defined as an effect on, change or benefit to the economy, society, culture, public policy or services, health, the environment or quality of life, beyond academia.
For REF2029, impact will be assessed in terms of ‘rigour, reach and significance’.
There are questions that we continually need to ask ourselves: ‘what is the change I am seeking to make?’, ‘so what.. why should anyone care?’ and ‘what happened as a result?’ If we can clearly define and answer these for ourselves, we stand a better chance of defining it for others, and taking steps to truly understand our impact.
The next REF will conclude in 2029 and will assess research and impact between 2021 and 2028.
UKRI REF Impact Case Study databases
Guidance and resources will be updated as they are provided. Here are some useful archive links:
- End of Exercise Reports 2023
- Panel criteria and working methods
- Guidance on revisions to REF 2021
- REF 2021 FAQs
The following three distinct elements, along with associated weightings, were assessed for of each submission. The weightings were as follows:
- Outputs – 55%
- Impact – 25%
- Environment – 20%