This document is a republication, in commentable form, of the Policy Development Consultation for the Research Excellence Framework (Second consultation on the assessment and funding of research), published in September 2009 by the Higher Education Funding Council for England, Scottish Funding Council, Higher Education Funding Council for Wales and Department for Employment and Learning.

The original document can be found here: Research Excellence Framework: Second consultation on the assessment and funding of research

As well as supporting comments for each paragraph in the consultation, this republication provides a unique URI for each paragraph in the original document, which you are may use as reference links in any online discussion you engage in about the consultation.

Note that this document is not associated in a formal way with the official consultation process, although we encourage the consultation publishers to engage with it.

See the Help page for:

  • notes on using this WriteToReply republication in forming a response to the consultation
  • notes on how to monitor WriteToReply supported discussion around this consultation

A ‘Quick Start’ guide to the main consultation questions posed in this document can be found at: WriteToReply REF Consultation Quick Start

From the original consultation document:

Executive summary
Purpose
[1.] This document sets out proposals for the Research Excellence Framework (REF) – the new arrangements for the assessment and funding of research in UK higher education institutions (HEIs) that will replace the Research Assessment Exercise (RAE).

Key points
[2.] Following an initial consultation on the REF published in late 2007 (HEFCE 2007/34), we have developed detailed proposals for the REF. The proposals build on a pilot exercise on the use of citation information, consideration of how to assess the impact of research as a key new element in the framework, lessons drawn from the 2008 RAE, and extensive expert advice and discussions with a wide range of stakeholders.

[3.] This document sets out proposals for all key aspects of the REF. A summary of the proposals is available in the leaflet ‘The Research Excellence Framework: a brief guide to the proposals’ (shortly to be made available on the web at www.hefce.ac.uk/ref (see: The Research Excellence Framework: A Brief Guide to the Proposals [PDF]).

[4.] We invite responses from HEIs and other groups and organisations with an interest in the conduct, quality, funding or use of research. This includes businesses, industry representatives, government and public sector bodies, charities and other third sector, social and cultural organisations.

Action required
[5.] Responses to the consultation should be made by completing and returning the form at Annex A by e-mail (see paragraph 21) by midday on Wednesday 16 December 2009.