Update from Professor Sam Kingman, Interim Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and Knowledge Exchange. 

My latest update includes news of REF2028. The next Research Excellence Framework (REF)  has been described by Professor Dame Jessica Corner of Research England (who led our REF2021 submission) as a “once-in-a-generation moment for change”.

So what can we expect?

We know that the next REF will conclude in 2028 and will assess research and impact between 2021 and 2027.

It will mark a shift away from a focus on individuals to how institutions and disciplines contribute to healthy, dynamic and inclusive research environments. The focus on published research output will also widen towards a broader view of what constitutes research excellence and how it can be demonstrated.

UKRI is inviting higher education providers and other stakeholders to share their views on a number of specific policy areas for REF2028 through a short consultation, ending in October 2023.

Pip Peakman, Director of Research and Innovation at Nottingham, has summarised what we know so far about REF2028.

£3m renewed funding from Health Data Research UK

My update also includes news of £3m renewed funding from Health Data Research UK, which has been secured by a team led by Philip Quinlan, Director of Health Informatics in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.

Phil is leading work in Federated Analytics, a new way of analysing multiple datasets in different locations without having to send or exchange (often sensitive) data. This work is attracting significant interest from Australia and Singapore. By establishing new ways of data analysis while adhering to governance boundaries, this work will be instrumental in supporting international research.

The £70m HDR UK scheme is working to accelerate trustworthy access to health data and improve treatments, deliver better health care and save lives. Whereas some universities have seen reduced budgets from HDR UK compared to its first five years, Nottingham’s funding has almost doubled.

My very best wishes

Sam

Read Professor Kingman’s full update