REF Research Impact Pilot Exercise Lessons-Learned Project : Feedback on Pilot Submissions. Final report

Abstract

This report to HEFCE presents feedback from the 29 pilot universities and colleges (HEIs) that participated in the REF Research Impact pilot exercise, bringing together the insight and lessons learned from the submission process. Feedback was gathered through interviews and written contributions, ahead of the Assessment Panels’ evaluations of those submissions. This report is concerned with the specific experiences of the Pilot HEIs’ and the lessons that can be learned. It will complement the feedback being compiled by the chairs of the five Assessment Panels. It will contribute to helping HEFCE define a robust and workable method for assessing impacts, through the forthcoming REF, and will provide an additional reference to HEIs when making their preparations for the REF. The report is structured around the questions posed to the Pilot Institutions and the chronology of the submission process and their experiences, beginning with a discussion of the appropriateness of the HEFCE submission guidelines and briefings.