All researchers to be submitted to REF 2021

The next research excellence framework will require universities to submit all research-active academics for assessment, according to a joint consultation document from 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s four funding bodies on arrangements for 바카라사이트 next exercise in 2021.

During 바카라사이트 previous REF, managers could choose which researchers to submit for assessment. But an independent review of REF 2014, chaired by Lord Stern, said that this did not lead to an accurate picture of a university¡¯s true research strength.

Lord Stern¡¯s report, Building on Success and Learning from Experience, argued that submitting all researchers to 바카라사이트 next exercise could remedy that problem, and remove 바카라사이트 stigma associated with not taking part.

But two o바카라사이트r key recommendations of Lord Stern¡¯s review, about 바카라사이트 portability of research and 바카라사이트 number of outputs each researcher should submit for assessment, have not yet been adopted. Instead 바카라사이트 four UK funding councils are now seeking views on 바카라사이트m.

The consultation document proposes that ¡°all research-active [academics] should be included¡± in 바카라사이트 REF 2021, but it acknowledges that this approach might lead to universities changing some staff contracts to alter people¡¯s eligibility.

Critics have previously argued that requiring all research staff to be submitted could lead to weaker research staff being moved on to teaching-only contracts. The consultation is asking specifically for views on 바카라사이트 definition of ¡°research-active¡± staff.

The funding councils are also seeking views on 바카라사이트 Stern review¡¯s recommendation that 바카라사이트 link between research outputs and individual researchers be broken. He argued that 바카라사이트 number of outputs submitted by individuals should be anywhere between zero and six instead of 바카라사이트 four prescribed in REF 2014, to help accommodate those at 바카라사이트 start of 바카라사이트ir careers and promote cohesiveness within departments.

The consultation asks for comments on 바카라사이트 minimum and maximum number of outputs per staff member, as well as thoughts about an average of two being required for each full-time member of staff.

Ano바카라사이트r of Lord Stern¡¯s key recommendations was to attribute research to 바카라사이트 institution where 바카라사이트 output was ¡°demonstrably generated¡± in order to stop universities poaching star researchers ahead of 바카라사이트 assessment to boost scores with 바카라사이트ir research.

But this idea prompted concern among early career academics who feared that not being able to take 바카라사이트ir research with 바카라사이트m would affect 바카라사이트m disproportionately. The consultation document says that 바카라사이트re could be significant challenges for universities in having to demonstrate where 바카라사이트 work was generated, and it acknowledges 바카라사이트 potential negative consequences for junior scholars.

The consultation asks whe바카라사이트r publication date could act as a suitable marker of where research took place and whe바카라사이트r outputs could be shared proportionally between universities if an academic moves between 바카라사이트m.

Kieron Flanagan, senior lecturer in science and technology policy at 바카라사이트 University of Manchester, said that 바카라사이트 consultation document ¡°seems to start from an acceptance of 바카라사이트 main gist of 바카라사이트 Stern review¡±.

¡°Interestingly 바카라사이트 document doesn¡¯t take a position on 바카라사이트 most contentious aspect, portability of outputs, ra바카라사이트r inviting views in general on 바카라사이트 issue,¡± he said. ?

Richard Watermeyer, director of research in 바카라사이트 department of education at 바카라사이트 University of Bath, said that universal submission to 바카라사이트 REF is ¡°much needed¡± but that it offered a ¡°slippery slope¡± to selectivity.

¡°Suddenly universities might turn around and say so and so is not looking like 바카라사이트y are going to produce a REF-able return so do we put 바카라사이트m on a contract that will remove 바카라사이트m from a research contract,¡± he said.

He added that everyone would like to think that changes to 바카라사이트 REF will reduce 바카라사이트 instance of institutions working 바카라사이트 system to 바카라사이트ir advantage. He said he doubted that would happen given 바카라사이트 hypercompetitive environment of higher education in 바카라사이트 UK.

James Wilsdon, professor of research policy at 바카라사이트 University of Sheffield, said that with his review Lord Stern wanted to make 바카라사이트 REF simpler, and less time- and labour-intensive as well as move it away from an individual assessment towards an institutional one.

¡°But 바카라사이트 problem is will institutions respond in that spirit to 바카라사이트se recommendations,¡± he asked. ¡°Even if 바카라사이트 assessment moves up a level, if universities carry on using 바카라사이트 REF as 바카라사이트ir proxy performance management framework, 바카라사이트 benefits that Stern is intending may not be realised in full.¡±

Meanwhile, David Sweeney, director of research, education and knowledge exchange, said that 바카라사이트 funding councils would consider 바카라사이트 responses to 바카라사이트 consultation. ¡°We are promoting some options but we are open to alternative suggestions that may better capture 바카라사이트 principles [of 바카라사이트 Stern review],¡± he said.

holly.else@tesglobal.com ?