The Research Excellence Framework (REF) is the internationally recognised system for assessing the quality of research in UK Higher Education Institutions.

The latest Research Excellence Framework (REF 2014) confirmed ADMRC as one of the leading UK art, design and media research centres, ranked second among 45 modern universities and in the top ten of all UK universities. Eighty-one percent of the research was adjudicated to be 'world-leading' (4*) and 'internationally excellent' (3*). Of this, 50% was rated world leading.

The centre’s impact case studies and impact strategy was judged to be 4* and 3* quality, with 73.3% considered world leading (4*).

The physical environment, support of academics, research assistants and students were all adjudicated as 4* and 3*. These outstanding results were the outcome of over 20 years of development within the centre.

• See details of staff submitted to REF 2014

REF 2021

While we do not yet know the outcome of our 2021 REF submission, there are several metrics to note, comparative to our 2014 REF submission.

In 2014 we submitted 24.46 fte. In 2021 we increased this to 31.25 fte, providing 78 outputs. At the 2014 REF we submitted a range of competitive research funding awards to the value of £2.7 million. For REF 2021 our funding income has risen to £7.9 million.

Our impact case studies for UoA 32

2021 case studies