Chemistry performs well in latest assessment of UK research

With the key findings of the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 finally published, scientific research looks to be flourishing and over 90% of chemistry submissions are rated either internationally excellent (45%) or world-leading (49%). As departments wait to hear how their results affect funding, it looks likely that the next REF will be substantially different.

REF provides a national picture of research across the university sector. It informs how the four UK higher education funding bodies allocate around £2 billion through the quality-related research (QR) funding stream, which supports research infrastructure (although other factors also affect QR calculations).