REF2014 is an independent assessment of the quality of research being undertaken by the UK’s universities. The results will demonstrate the proportion of each university’s research that is of world-leading, international or national excellence, and will also affect the research funding universities will receive from the UK’s higher education funding councils.

The results of the last assessment exercise in 2008 rated 47.5 percent of Swansea University’s research as world-leading or internationally excellent, and there are high expectations of a further successful outcome when the REF2014 results are announced in December next year.

Professor Noel Thompson, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research) at Swansea University oversaw the submission process.

He said: “For an ambitious university like Swansea, REF is a critically important exercise that will provide the evidence that Swansea is a truly research-led university of international stature, and that our research makes a difference around the world.”

Swansea University has submitted the work of 400 staff (including 74 early career researchers) across eighteen subject areas for assessment. The evidence provided includes more than 1400 research papers, book chapters, articles, books, and other published outputs from 63 research groups, as well as more than fifty case studies demonstrating the impact of the University’s research. These show that research carried out in Swansea is having significant economic impact. For instance, researchers have: 

• improved the aerodynamic design process for the aerospace industry through the application of techniques now used by multinational organisations such as BAE Systems;
• made a critical technological contribution to the manufacture of efficient gas turbine engines, leading to a significant reduction in fuel consumption;
• developed new functional coatings in collaboration with Tata Steel Europe;
• enabled the widespread use of an insect-killing fungus to control crop pests;
• contributed to the creation of new high technology printed products, including next generation lighting circuits.

 Examples of how the University’s research impacts on our health and wellbeing include:

• the use of new diagnostic medical technology to improve detection of abnormal blood clotting;
• the development of new light therapy techniques to treat skin disorders for therapeutic and cosmetic benefit;
• the development and evaluation of new ways of managing patients with debilitating gastrointestinal disorders;
• improving breastfeeding rates through evidence-based guideline changes.

 Swansea University is also making a real difference to our society through its significant contributions to informing public policy, for instance in:

• reducing age disputes and improving the process of age assessment for separated asylum-seeking children in the UK, Europe and beyond;
• improving post-wildfire hazard assessment and risk reduction policy and practice;
• informing and influencing the creation of language policies and strategies at local and national government levels to promote the use of Welsh amongst young people;
• influencing policy in the areas of employment and public sector pay, and reducing labour market inequalities;
• influencing government policy to benefit the creative industries, cultural tourism, and education;
• changing Welsh policy and practice on supported living environments for older people;
• impacting high-level debates on international drug control;
• shaping new law on human rights of children and young people in Wales.

Other examples of the University’s research include the work to regenerate and transform the industrial landscape of “Copperopolis” in the Lower Swansea Valley; transforming refugee awareness and integration in South Wales, and enhancing performance in elite athletes, for instance in collaboration with British Cycling.

Professor Thompson added: “There really is no question that Swansea University is delivering significant, sustained and valuable economic and societal impact, not just within Wales, but internationally.

“It has been a real privilege to coordinate the University submission to REF because it has once again demonstrated that we are a community of truly talented researchers in Swansea.

“We can all be proud of their achievements and of the difference they are making to so many lives, and in so many ways.”

Article: Chris Marshall, Strategic Projects Manager, Planning and Strategic Projects Unit, Swansea University.

Image: 'The Beauty of Blood Cells' (2013) by Nafiseh Badiei, Centre for NanoHealth, Swansea University. The image was submitted as part of the University's annual Research as Art competition.