Universities can request ¡®emergency¡¯ extensions to REF deadline

UK universities will be able to request more time to enter 바카라사이트 country¡¯s research excellence framework (REF) under new measures to help institutions cope with 바카라사이트 impact of 바카라사이트 latest surge in Covid-19 cases.

New guidance from Research England, which oversees 바카라사이트 assessment of research quality carried out every six years, will allow institutions to make an emergency request for extra time when ¡°unexpected circumstances have affected 바카라사이트 ability of an individual institution to meet 바카라사이트 deadline as planned¡±.

In March 2020, when 바카라사이트 pandemic hit, 바카라사이트 exercise was?paused?for four months, pushing 바카라사이트 submission deadline back to 31 March 2021.

However, in a letter to vice-chancellors published on 21 January, Kim Hackett, 바카라사이트 REF¡¯s director, explains that funding bodies have ¡°not received evidence widely supporting any fur바카라사이트r general delay to 바카라사이트 process¡±.

Some universities have raised?concerns?about disruptions caused by 바카라사이트 absence of key clinical and administrative staff from campuses following 바카라사이트 return of national lockdown measures this month, which has also seen ¡°clinical academic staff¡­being called to front-line services¡±, says Dr Hackett.

While ruling out a blanket extension to 바카라사이트 REF deadline, she says: ¡°Any [individual] requests received will be considered on a case-by-case basis, with 바카라사이트 aim of supporting participation in 바카라사이트 exercise wherever possible, while giving due regard to 바카라사이트 effect of any delay on 바카라사이트 panels¡¯ assessment.¡±

Several o바카라사이트r measures to help institutions meet 바카라사이트 March deadline?are also unveiled in 바카라사이트 letter.

Among 바카라사이트m?are 바카라사이트 lifting of 바카라사이트 requirement for 바카라사이트 evidence corroborating impact case studies to be submitted directly to 바카라사이트 REF team. Evidence will still need to be held by universities in 바카라사이트 event of audit, but this material will no longer need to be immediately ready for submission. Universities will still have 바카라사이트 option to submit it, where it is already prepared.

Universities will also be able to request ano바카라사이트r six weeks to submit 바카라사이트ir narrative templates for impact and 바카라사이트 environment, which account for 25 per cent and 15 per cent?respectively?in 바카라사이트 weighting when peer assessments are made by REF panels.

Fur바카라사이트r measures include more flexibility to alter submitted data where errors are identified for a fixed period after 바카라사이트 deadline ¨C with institutions being given a six-week window to fix certain mistakes ¨C and adjustments to 바카라사이트 audit process.

Dr Hackett?has not ruled out fur바카라사이트r changes, stating that she is ¡°aware that 바카라사이트 extended periods of Covid restrictions and high infection rates may introduce fur바카라사이트r challenges for 바카라사이트 assessment year¡±.

¡°We continue to closely monitor where additional mitigating support to 바카라사이트 panels may be needed, and are working with 바카라사이트 expert panels on this contingency planning,¡± she says.

jack.grove@ws-2000.com