Q. What is FRAP?
FRAP – The ‘Future Research Assessment Programme’, which was launched by the four UK funding bodies in May 2021 to evaluate the previous Research Assessment Exercise (REF2021) and to identify approaches to future research assessment that:
- encourage and strengthen the emphasis on delivering excellent research and impact,
- support a positive, productive research culture, while
- simplifying and reducing the administrative burden on the HE sector.
Following a period evaluation and consultation with the sector, some decisions about the next exercise (REF2029) have been announced.
Q. Why is the Research Excellence Framework changing and how is it changing?
The initial decisions of FRAP represent a shift towards a broader and more holistic approach to research assessment.
There is a stronger focus on people and culture, and a move away from assessing individuals.
The exercise will be conducted in 2029, with institutions submitting in late 2028.
Q. If individuals are no longer being assessed, how can I contribute to REF2029?
There are a number of ways that individuals will contribute to REF2029. The University will continue to submit research outputs and impact case studies authored by individuals associated with the University.
We will also include information about the collective contributions, achievements and successes of individuals employed by the University through a range of narrative statements.
This will include contributions from academic staff and professional service staff.
Q. What does it mean to be Significantly Responsible for Research (SigRes)?
The term SigRes was first introduced in REF2021 as a means to identify those staff within an institution who are employed on a specific contract type (Research or Teaching and Research) and where explicit time and resources are made available to them to actively engage in independent research.
The University’s current criteria for determining significant responsibility for research is:
Staff members on a teaching and research contract, who have normally received a research allowance of at least 20% per year with associated research objectives.
Or
Staff members on a research-only contract who are considered independent (as opposed to supporting others’ research).
Q. How do I know if I am SigRes?
As part of the annual ‘MyContribution’ objective setting meetings, academic staff, in agreement with their line manager and Head of Research, can request an allocation of protected research time in exchange for delivering on one or more research deliverables. The deliverables can vary but may include things like, production of research outputs, disseminating research, generating impact or leading a significant research task. It may also include working on externally funded research grants or supervising research degrees.
Those staff receiving research time above the 20% threshold would be considered SigRes.
Some staff might be considered ‘developing in research’ if they are allocated research time below this threshold. In this case the objectives set would be commensurate to the time and expectations of the individual.
Staff who are considered to be SigRes will be recorded as such in our annual HESA staff data [i] and this measure will be used to calculate the volume of research that we ultimately need to submit to REF2029.
Staff on research-only contracts who are conducting independent research will also be classified as SigRes.
Please note the University may consult upon and update our SigRes criteria in due course.
[i] Higher Education Statistics Agency, responsible for collecting standardised data in HE
Q. What does being ‘SigRes’ mean for REF2029 submission?
Unlike in REF2021, SigRes staff do not need to be returned to REF2029 with a minimum number of outputs associated with them, because this exercise aims to break the link between individuals and submission.
The exercise recognises that there could be valid reasons why a staff member deemed to be SigRes may not be an author on outputs or impacts submitted to the exercise.
Q. I am not SigRes, but would like to contribute to REF2029, can I?
In REF2029, it is being proposed that institutions can submit research from a wider body of staff so long as there is a substantive link to the submitting institution.
However, the submission of outputs sole authored by RPG students and outputs produced by individuals employed on academic contracts with no expectation of research (e.g. those on teaching-only contracts) will not be eligible for submission
If you have ambitions to contribute to a future research assessment exercise, you should speak with your line manager and Head of Research in the first instance to agree appropriate research objectives as part of your My Contribution objective setting / career development plan.
The REF team will be developing processes to identify the research that is eligible for submission to REF2029, and we will be consulting further on the internal criteria for final selection of outputs.
Regardless of the final selection of outputs and impact submitted, staff will be recognised in REF2029 through other elements such as the narrative components of the submission which will recognise wider contributions.
Q. I am a non-academic or member of Professional Services, can I contribute to REF2029?
It is currently unclear if outputs from Professional Service staff can be submitted.
Once we have clarity on this, the REF team will be developing processes to identify the research that is eligible for submission to REF2029, and we will be consulting further on the internal criteria for final selection of outputs.
Regardless of the final selection of outputs and impact submitted, staff will be recognised in REF2029 through other elements such as the narrative components of the submission which will recognise wider contributions.
Q. How will these changes affect my career development and promotion opportunities?
The University’s academic promotions framework recognises a range of criterion associated with research activity.
Submission to REF is not specifically one of those criteria. However, staff applying for promotion on the research pathway would be required to demonstrate the quality of their research outputs using evidence aligned to REF quality thresholds of internationally excellent standard.
Q. When will we know the final details and guidance for REF2029?
The exercise has recently been delayed to 2029. We are awaiting details of the revised timeline.
Q. How can I engage in the internal consultation exercise and find out more about REF2029?
In response to the initial decisions document, the Funding bodies invited views from the sector via consultation. Edinburgh Napier's response was submitted on 26th September 2023.
The REF Team will continue to engage staff in any further consultation activity.