REF3 - Impact

References on this page refer to the paragraph numbers within the 'Guidance on submissions' (GOS) and the 'Panel criteria and working methods' (PC).

Impact was introduced to the REF in 2014, and 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. The aim in REF 2021 has been to maintain consistency with REF 2014 as much as possible. Impact has been considered a beneficial addition to the REF and will account for 25% of the REF 2021 score. Demonstrating the effect of research on the economy and wider society has had many positive uses beyond obtaining quality related (QR) funding.

FAQs

For more FAQs related to Impact, please visit the REF website for an up-to-date list.

• Can the same impact case study be submitted by more than one submitting unit? Where more than one submitting unit made a distinct and material research contribution to an impact, each of those submitting units may submit a case study of the impact. Each submitting unit will need to show that its research made a distinct and material contribution to the impact. This applies whether an HEI wishes to submit the same impact in different submissions, or different HEIs.
• Does the impact claimed need to be tied to an individual specific output within the body of work? No. The panels recognise that the link between research and impact can be indirect and non-linear.
• Do all the outputs referenced in an impact case study need to be of at least two-star quality? Submitting units are required to provide up to six key references that represent the body of research or a research project produced by the submitting unit that underpins the impact described in the case study. The sub-panels will not expect each referenced item to meet the quality threshold, but will wish to be satisfied that the research as a whole was of at least two-star quality. Where sub-panels identify within the referenced research at least one output of two-star quality or higher, and this is a key output underpinning the impact, this will normally be sufficient to demonstrate that the underpinning research as a whole meets the quality threshold.
• Can an HEI submit an impact case study in a UOA, even if the individual who conducted the research is returned in a different Unit of Assessment? Yes, we recognise that individual researchers may undertake research across multiple disciplines over time and that UOA boundaries are not rigid. Provided the underpinning research is within the scope of the UOA in which it is submitted, a case study may be submitted in a different UOA from the individual.

Number of case studies required

The number of case studies required is determined by the FTE of Category A Submitted staff. Each submission will need a minimum of two case studies. Those over 20 FTE will require one additional case study per 15 FTE for the first 110 FTE submitted, then decreasing to one per 50 FTE thereafter (GOS 309).

Impact eligibility

Impacts remain eligible for submission by the institution(s) in which the underpinning research was conducted. The key dates are (GOS 311):

• Impact occurred between 1 August 2013 to 31 July 2020 AND
• Based on underpinning research undertaken between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2020.

Case studies continued from REF 2014

• 'Continuing impact' is where the body of underpinning research is the same (i.e. no new research since the previous cases study that has made a distinct and material contribution to the impact) AND there is a significant overlap in the impact described ( impact types and beneficiaries are broadly the same).
• Such case studies are eligible for submission provided they meet the same criteria as new case studies (GOS 314-317).
• Although we must flag all continued case studies, Main Panels B, C, D do not wish to receive information on how they relate to that submitted to REF2014. Main Panel A wishes to receive information on how any continued case study relates to that submitted in REF2014 (PC 294).

Underpinning research

• Impact needs to be underpinned by research of at least 2* quality, produced at Sheffield between 2000-2020.
• This can include the work of staff that are not Category A Eligible, such as teaching staff or Category C staff (GOS 318-319).
• The guidance includes examples of several ways in which research can underpin an impact (GOS 325).
• The sub-panels have provided additional specific guidance on indicators that may demonstrate 2* quality of underpinning research (PC 313-323).

Range of impact

• We can submit any type of impact which fulfil the definition of impact for REF and can be manifested in a wide variety of ways.
• For REF 2021 this includes impact on students, teaching or other activities both within and beyond the HEI (GOS 297-302).
• The sub-panels have provided a range of examples of impact, together with indicators of reach and significance (PC 296-303, Annex A).

Evidence

• Each case study should contain appropriate evidence for the claims made.
• The sub-panels have provided guidance on the kinds of evidence and indicators of impact they consider appropriate, but this is not exhaustive (PC 304-312).
• We must submit all the corroborating evidence to be held securely by the REF team for audit purposes. The evidence will not be used as part of the routine assessment of the case study, and only provided to the reviewers as part of the formal audit process where they doubt the veracity of a claim. (GOS 330-334)

Who to contact

*         Please contact Jean Malan (Impact Framework Manager) at j.malan@gre.ac.uk