The UK is recognised as a global leader in research and innovation. The Research Excellence Framework (REF) is a significant event in the UK research landscape.

The REF is a system for assessing the quality of research in UK higher education institutions. It is used to allocate research funding and inform strategic research decisions. In June 2023, the UK’s higher education funding bodies made initial decisions on the high-level design of the next Research Excellence Framework (REF), which will conclude in 2028 and will assess research and impact between 2021 and 2027.

The Institute of Government & Public Policy’s Second Annual Developing Research Excellence Conference will provide an opportunity for attendees to discuss the future direction and implications of the Research Excellence Framework and research assessment in higher education.

The conference will also provide an opportunity to discuss the latest update on funding for the REF, which is £2 billion from the UK government. The consultation on the detailed design of the next REF will begin in the coming months, and stakeholders will have the opportunity to share their views on how the REF should be structured and how the funding should be allocated.

Register for the conference today and be a part of the conversation about the future of research in the UK.