The College of Engineering and Physical Sciences has collectively achieved a very strong performance in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) - the system for assessing the quality of research in UK higher education institutions.
There were strong performances right across the disciplines from the fields of pure scienceand materials, to applied engineering. Particular highlights included:
- School of Chemical Engineering ranked 1st for its research impact
- Schools of Computer Science and Metallurgy and Materials rated within the top quartile of all UK institutions in their respective fields
- The School of Mathematics ranked 6th in the UK for world-leading and internationally excellent research outputs
- The School of Electronic, Electrical and Systems Engineering’s case studies were all ranked as having either ‘outstanding’ or ‘very considerable’ impact and
- Over 95% of The School of Chemistry’s research outputs were rated as world-leading or internationally excellent.
Professor John Bridgeman, Director of Research in the College, commented: “I am delighted at the College’s overall REF results. In a challenging environment, we have collectively achieved an out-turn of which we can be justifiably proud. Our College is a truly interdisciplinary research environment, connecting the discoveries in science to the design and delivery of many different fields of engineering. Our strength is our breadth and depth of research, as well as the exceptional calibre of our staff”.
Professor Richard Williams, Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Head of the College commented: “Our REF results provide a solid platform for us to develop and grow our research base, and to be bold in our investment in to world-leading and internationally excellent areas of research strength. These results reflect what we have achieved, however, we are already thinking about the future and are now interested in creating the next new breakthroughs and impacts on society and industry through our over-arching themes of Science Frontiers, Resilience, Energy and Sustainability, and Advanced Manufacturing”.
The University of Birmingham was recognised as one of the top research Universities in the UK with 81% of its research rated as internationally excellent or world-leading.