Clinical academics' experiences of REF2021.

Davies, Angharad P; McKinley, Robert; Gabbay, Mark; Katz, David; Strain, W David

Abstract

The UK Research Excellence Framework (REF) is an assessment of the quality of research carried out in UK Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), performed in 7-year cycles. The outcome impacts the rankings and funding of UK HEIs, which afford the exercise high priority. Much of what REF measures is known to be biased against academics with protected characteristics: for example, women and ethnic minority researchers are less likely to win grants or be published in prestigious journals. Despite changes to REF since 2014, the risk remains that the process might amplify well-recognised existing disparities. The BMA Women in Academic Medicine and Medical Academic Staff Committee carried out a survey of UK clinical academics' experiences of REF2021. The data indicated the persistence of activities previously characterised as 'extremely harmful' in Research England-commissioned work, affecting up to 10% of clinical academics. While acknowledging the limitations of the data, women appeared to be disproportionately affected. [Abstract copyright: Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier Ltd.]

Citation

Davies, A. P., McKinley, R., Gabbay, M., Katz, D., & Strain, W. D. (2024). Clinical academics' experiences of REF2021. Clinical Medicine, 24(1), Article 100002. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinme.2023.100002

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jan 22, 2024
• Online Publication Date: Jan 22, 2024
• Publication Date: 2024-01
• Deposit Date: Mar 5, 2024
• Journal: Clinical medicine (London, England)
• Print ISSN: 1470-2118
• Publisher: Royal College of Physicians
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 24
• Issue: 1
• Article Number: 100002
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinme.2023.100002
• Keywords: REF, Clinical academia