Research
Excellence
Framework

Excellent research is at the heart of everything we do. Our commitment to innovation and research is demonstrated through years of high-quality research which has a positive impact regionally, nationally and internationally.  
 
The Research Excellence Framework (REF) is an assessment of research within the United Kingdom. It identifies and celebrates research excellence, and at the University of Derby, we are proud to be a part of it.  
   
REF 2021 saw an increased volume of staff and quality of research outputs submitted which evidenced the breadth and depth of our research. We submitted 27 impact case studies across ten Units of Assessment, which show our applied research expertise and demonstrate our civic commitment and the impact of our knowledge exchange delivery.

What is the REF?

Professor Warren Manning, Provost Innovation and Research, explains what the REF results are and how they impact all aspects of the University. 

REF 2021 results

We are ‘world leading’ and ‘internationally excellent’ in aspects of all ten of our Units of Assessments, with four units rated at 60% or above for their ‘world-leading’ and ‘internationally excellent’ research.  
 
The difference we make in our communities and industry on a regional, national and international level is critical, so we welcomed the impressive results that saw all of our Units of Assessment submissions achieve recognition of 3* (very considerable) impact in terms of reach and significance, and six Unit of Assessment achieving 4* (outstanding) level of impact.  

As part of the REF process, we are required to publish our REF2021 Equality Impact Assessment based on final submission data.