Following the publication of REF2021 results, Dr Katerina Kolyva, CEO of the Council of Deans of Health responded:
The results of the Research Excellence Framework 2021 (REF 2021) have been published. 157 UK higher education institutions made submissions in 34 subject-based units of assessment (UOAs).
The results which have the most relevance to Council members are those from UoA3 which comprises of allied health professions, nursing, midwifery, dentistry and pharmacy. There were 89 submissions to UoA3 which accounted for 11,627 outputs, 400 impact case studies and 4,769.73 FTE staff including 738 early career researchers.
“The REF2021 results show high quality and impactful healthcare research. It is essential that funding is sustained to ensure the continuation of effective nursing, midwifery and allied health profession research so we can continue to deliver and reach the Government’s aim of the UK as a ‘science superpower’.
Research undertaken by our members tackles real life health challenges facing patients, health services and local communities as well as addressing wider societal challenges and global health inequalities. The national and international partnerships built through research are invaluable. Finalising an agreement on Horizon Europe will benefit UK research while new post-Brexit partnerships across the globe can further complement the UK’s competitive advantage in this space.”
REF2021 shows excellence in nursing, midwifery and allied health profession research however capacity and capability building needs to be further supported to ensure that the workforce capacity of healthcare researchers matches the growth of the sector.