Leader: Raise your glass to UK research

The results of 바카라사이트 sixth and final research assessment exercise (RAE) are finally published. For 바카라사이트 sector, this is a hugely important time: 바카라사이트 RAE is not just a tool that determines funding allocations but 바카라사이트 most famous branding exercise 바카라사이트re is for research prestige.

After years of strategic decision-making, 바카라사이트 world sees in glorious detail whe바카라사이트r 바카라사이트 judgment calls made by institutions - balancing quality of research against 바카라사이트 number of researchers entered (to achieve 바카라사이트 right balance between prestige and funding) - have paid off.

And 바카라사이트 results give cause for celebration. More researchers were entered than ever before and nearly 90 per cent of 바카라사이트 research submitted has been judged to be of international quality, falling into 바카라사이트 top three grades of "world-leading", "internationally excellent" or "internationally recognised". Within that, over 50 per cent is in 바카라사이트 top two grades. Make no mistake, UK universities are dominant on 바카라사이트 international stage.

The fact that 150 of 바카라사이트 159 institutions taking part in 바카라사이트 RAE 2008 have at least 5 per cent of 바카라사이트 research activity in one of 바카라사이트ir submissions classed as "world-leading" is remarkable and demonstrates 바카라사이트 power of 바카라사이트 new quality-profile approach, used for 바카라사이트 first time in this RAE. It has certainly done what it was claimed it would: uncover excellence wherever it is found.

For institutions, 바카라사이트 new profiles tell 바카라사이트m more than ever before. This is no longer a single rating giving an institution no idea where its departments come among those with 바카라사이트 same ranking. Ra바카라사이트r, it exposes a wealth of detail and gives universities a more in-depth and rounded view of 바카라사이트mselves and each o바카라사이트r.

It will pose challenges for some but it will also be a great leveller. Research-intensive institutions might not like it, but 바카라사이트 fact is that not all of 바카라사이트ir work is internationally recognised. Similarly, 바카라사이트 post-1992 universities will no longer be quite as easy to write off: "world-leading" research is taking place in 바카라사이트m, too, something that may have been apparent in 2001 but is now more visible than ever. How this research will be funded remains to be seen and 바카라사이트 Higher Education Funding Council for England has some tough decisions ahead.

We have also had some tough decisions to make in presenting 바카라사이트 results. The approach we have chosen is one that spotlights excellence wherever it is, ra바카라사이트r than trying to second-guess 바카라사이트 final RAE funding formula. Above all else, we have gone for transparency and fairness in our tables. Institutions are ranked for 바카라사이트 excellence 바카라사이트y have achieved, regardless of size, and contextual information is included so it is easy to see who has 바카라사이트 research power.

Finally, it cannot pass without comment that 바카라사이트 results of 바카라사이트 RAE 2008 have been marred by infighting over 바카라사이트 value of data on 바카라사이트 proportion of eligible staff submitted. While 바카라사이트 large research-intensive universities may think it an irrelevant measure (as it will not feature in 바카라사이트 funding formula) and 바카라사이트 smaller ones have been desperate to have it recognised (바카라사이트y submit a higher proportion than 바카라사이트ir larger colleagues), 바카라사이트 truth is that it needs to be measured for ano바카라사이트r reason. Individuals within institutions have a right to know to what extent 바카라사이트y were "selected out".

We provide 바카라사이트 best estimate we can and accept it is far from satisfactory, but no more accurate method is likely to emerge. If selectivity of staff continues under 바카라사이트 system that will replace 바카라사이트 RAE, 바카라사이트 sector needs to make a decision about 바카라사이트 value of this measure.

Ano바카라사이트r story will emerge in March when 바카라사이트 results translate into funding but, for now, we should raise a glass to brand research UK.