Vice-Chancellor's Message
Dear Colleagues,
It is with real pride that I reflect on Brunel’s performance in RAE 2008. I have always believed that there is a collective desire within our community to become one of the UK's leading research universities and it is therefore no surprise to me that your combined achievements are so apparent.
That 87% of our academic staff were submitted is something we should all be proud of. It represents an immense amount of work by everyone in what is, I believe, a truly inclusive academic community where staff are engaged in research at the cutting edge of their disciplines.
Of course, the RAE is not just a snapshot of our collective efforts in the here and now, nor is it merely a vehicle for deciding the allocation of research funds, however important the latter may be. The RAE sends a signal to everyone about the kind of institution Brunel now is and the bright future it faces.
Particularly notable is the growth in our submission to the RAE, which was four times the average within the sector. This, coupled with the fact that 21% of staff submitted were early career researchers in the first three years of their academic careers, suggests to me that we have a truly sustainable research strategy.
I have no doubt that these results herald Brunel’s arrival as a research intensive university that is both truly creative and collaborative, and in a position to address many of the major research questions facing the world over the next century.
Congratulations to you all; it is a privilege to be your Vice-Chancellor.
Professor Chris Jenks
