The road to REF2014, the UK's review of research "informed by" citation metrics
Jenny Delasalle, Freelance information professional
04.11.2014
Abstract:
REF 2014 is the system for assessing the quality of research in UK higher education institutions, which then informs funding allocations to institutions and is used to provide public accountability for public spending. It is also used as a benchmark and reputational yardstick, often involves Librarians in institutional submissions and is taken very seriously by UK institutions. This talk will explore how REF 2014 is the successor to the Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) of 2008, and during the intervening period there were pilots, discussions and uncertainty about the role that bibliometrics might play, affecting roles for Librarians. We will consider such roles and, what peer review "informed by suitable metrics" (Times Higher Education article, 2008) actually is, in the context of REF 2014.
Jenny Delasalle was an institutional repository manager at the University of Warwick, and later the Library's research support during this time.