SAC Celebrate REF Success!  

Reflecting the excellence of our research and its benefits in society. 

In the REF 2021 Geography and Environmental Studies have ranked top in the UK for research publications, comprising 100% world leading or internationally excellent publications, while in Anthropology and Development Studies, 82% of publications were classed as world leading or internationally excellent, climbing to 12th position in the UK.

The Research Excellence Framework (REF) is the system for assessing the quality of research in UK Higher Education Institutes. The assessment measures the quality of academic output alongside its impact on the economy, society, public policy, culture and quality of life, every seven years. It is a recognised indicator of research quality, influencing student choice and the distribution of public funds for research, last measured in 2014. Essentially it reflects the excellence of our research and its benefits in society. 

Head of School Dr Tanya Humle responded to the results.  

‘I am so proud of SAC’s REF results and all our amazing staff and students who have been, and are, contributing to our outstanding research performance, and our internationally-recognised excellence when it comes to our research publications and impact. Our mission as a School is understanding a changing world and we pride ourselves in addressing some of the biggest, most pressing global challenges of our time, drawing from our expertise in biological and social anthropology, human geography, environmental social sciences and conservation science and biology, so we are extremely grateful for this recognition of our efforts and engagement.’ 

Here’s a Summary of the SAC REF2021 results: 

Geography and Environmental Studies  

  • Ranked top in the UK for publications out of 56 submissions, comprising 100% world leading or internationally excellent publications 
  • Awarded an overall score for the unit of assessment of 3.36, ranked 14th of 56 submissions in the UK 
  • 98% of research activity was classed as world leading or internationally excellent 
  • 100% of impact was rated as world leading or internationally excellent 

Anthropology and Development Studies 

  • 82% of publications were classed as world leading or internationally excellent compared to 52% in 2014, rising to 12th position in the UK
  • Overall score for the unit of assessment increased from 2.63 in 2014 to 3.24, meaning that anthropology at Kent is ranked in the top 15 of submissions in the UK
  • 85% of research activity was rated as world leading or internationally excellent
  • The research environment was rated as 100% world leading or internationally excellent

For a full summary of the University of Kent’s REF2021 results see here

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