VC Update Issue 10

UWE’s RAE results highlight international excellence

posted 18.12.08

The RAE2008 results are excellent news for UWE. The RAE is an important measure of the quality of our research, made by fellow academics, and it is particularly exciting to see how much of our research is so highly regarded.

World-leading and internationally excellent

It is especially pleasing to note that more than a third (37%) of the research we submitted to the RAE was considered to be either world-leading or internationally excellent in terms of its originality, significance and rigour. This is equivalent to the work of some 120 staff and represents an outstanding achievement.

The results highlight the significant presence of world-leading research at UWE, notably in biomedical sciences, art and design and in communication, cultural and media studies. They also show high levels of international excellence across a range of subjects including computer science, engineering, linguistics, accountancy and finance, town and country planning, plant science and architecture and built environment.

According to the RAE, in allied health professions (biomedical sciences), UWE has proportionately more internationally excellent research than any other HEI in the UK (equal with Kings College London). In doing so, UWE is also top in the south west region and among the post-1992 universities on this measure.

In both linguistics and communication, cultural and media studies, UWE is the top rated institution in the south west and, in both subjects, has proportionately more internationally excellent research than the University of Oxford!

In accountancy and finance, we are the top rated post-1992 institution in terms of the proportion of internationally excellent research.

In agriculture, food and veterinary science (plant sciences), UWE has more world-leading research than any other HEI in the south west region.

Our research strategy

However, it is important to appreciate that success in the RAE is not the only important measure of our research standing. Our strategy is to deliver excellence in selected research areas, but also to ensure we continue to develop a sustainable platform of research across the university, one that enriches our academic programme, feeding into and off teaching, policy, practice, consultancy, public engagement and knowledge transfer. Not all of this is recognised by the criteria of the RAE but is vital to the character of UWE as a university engaged in knowledge exchange.

Our plan is to continue to support this dual strategy, to enable some areas of research to compete at the highest levels while supporting others to underpin the range of activities that make UWE a different kind of first class university, one that seeks a reputation for excellence through a diversity of endeavours.

To take this strategy forward, the results of the RAE and a wealth of other information is being considered by the Research Strategy Implementation Group with a view to re-asserting the University's commitment to research, to help inform an investment strategy that seeks to maximise the gains made in the RAE and to ensure that other areas of research are fully integrated with the academic programme in a way that makes them sustainable.

The RAE2008 is another milestone in our progress towards the vision of UWE as an institution conducting world-class research in clearly identified areas of strength. My congratulations to all those involved in contributing to the RAE submission on this excellent outcome for the University.

For further information, see the full table of RAE results.

Steve