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Research Review Exercise (RRE) open for all REF-eligible staff

15 Jan 2025

The annual mandatory exercise for all REF-eligible staff is open until Monday, 17 February 2025.

The University’s Research Review Exercise (RRE) – the annual mandatory peer review of research outputs for all REF-eligible staff – is now open. Eligible staff have been contacted in a direct email from Professor Colette Fagan, Vice President Research.

What is the RRE?

The Research Review Exercise (RRE) is an annual mandatory exercise for all REF-eligible staff. It consists of the peer review of research outputs published since Friday, 1 January 2021.

Who is eligible?

The RRE includes all staff on the University payroll as of Sunday, 1 December 2024 who are:

  • On academic ‘teaching and research’ contracts. 

OR

  • On ‘research only’ contracts and meet the REF 2021 definition of an ‘independent researcher’, (i.e. an individual who undertakes self-directed research, rather than carrying out another individual's research programme).

The following staff are therefore not included in RRE:

  • Staff with explicit teaching-focused or teaching and scholarship contracts.
  • Research assistants and research associates who are not ‘independent researchers’.

What do I need to do?

If you have been contacted directly to participate in RRE, please follow the instructions in the invitation email to propose up to a maximum of four of your research outputs, published since Friday, 1 January 2021, which you believe are likely to be judged internationally excellent (3*) or world-leading (4*) based on REF 2021 criteria.

More information, including a step-by-step guide for your faculty can be found on the RRE StaffNet pages and will help you to complete this process.

It is recognised that some staff may not have any 3* or 4* outputs at this stage in the REF cycle, or may not have any new 3* or 4* outputs since the last RRE. In these cases, no outputs should be proposed. However, in both instances, individuals should contact their Faculty REF/ RRE Manager to notify them that this is the case.

The deadline to complete this is midnights on Monday, 17 February 2025.

I am eligible but have not received an email, what should I do?

If you believe you are REF-eligible but have not received an invitation email to complete the RRE, please contact your Faculty REF/ RRE Manager.

Where can I get more information?

Please visit the RRE pages on StaffNet for more information and for frequently asked questions