Terms of Reference
The Research Excellence Framework Strategy Committee (REFSC) is responsible for overseeing the School’s preparations for, and submission to, the Research Excellence Framework (REF). In particular, it aims to optimise the submission that the School makes to the REF.
In pursuance of its aims, the REFSC has the following rights and responsibilities:
(i) To maximise the benefit of the REF to the School.
(ii) To make the final decision on the content of the submission that the School makes to the REF.
(iii) To make financial decisions when allocating funds for targeted assistance (e.g. extension of sabbatical leave/teaching assistance), providing assistance for external reviews of research outputs and supporting the production of high quality impact case studies.
(iv) To make strategic decisions when assigning members of staff to particular units of assessment and on the compilation of the portfolio of outputs to the Research Excellence Framework, consistent with the REF rules, to maximise the benefit of the REF to the School and aim for a broad and balanced submission.
(v) To ensure that information relevant to the exercise is disseminated to academic and research staff.
(vi) To request information that will identify strengths and weaknesses in the submission and having identified weaknesses to provide solutions to improve the School’s submission in the areas identified.
(vii) To seek guidance from relevant individuals/institutions to ensure that the committee remains informed – to the best of its ability – of REF guidance, criteria and initiatives.
(viii) To oversee and guide the School’s submission of data to the funding bodies, which will involve interaction with relevant professional services divisions at the School.
(ix) To develop and approve the REF Code of Practice in consultation with relevant committees, groups and individuals, in line with the requirements of the funding bodies and ensure REF planning is undertaken according to this Code.
(x) To comply with all equal opportunities legislation in its decision making capacity and to operate under the terms of the School’s EDI Policy for the preparation of the REF 2021 submission at all times.
(xi) To comply with the School’s Ethics Code and the Committee Effective Behaviour Statement.
Mode of Operation
The REFSC is a working group of Research Committee. It reports to Academic Board via Research Committee.
The Committee meets at least twice per term.
Committee members are appointed by the Chair using the established School groupings. Appointed members will usually be expected to remain on the Committee until after the submission deadline.