Research Excellence Framework 2021

The results of REF 2021 confirm Brunel's position as a top 40 UK research-intensive university, with the volume of our 'world-leading' research – the REF's top category – increasing by nearly two thirds (63%) in the past seven years.

Overall, 72.7% of the research we submitted to the REF, an independent assessment of the quality of research at universities across the country, was assessed as being world-leading or internationally excellent, and increase from the previous score of 61% in 2014. Our submission involved 659 researchers across the University, together with a dedicated team of support staff. View full results here.

Overall research quality

These results are a reward for the strength and significance of the pioneering research we conduct across Brunel, and of the huge efforts academic staff made in submitting their research for assessment. We seek to address society’s most pressing challenges, in collaboration with partners locally and from across the globe, so it is no surprise that so much of our research has been assessed as world-leading or internationally excellent.

Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Andrew Jones

View table of results in our areas of expertise

REF Unit of Assessment (click for full details)	College	Subjects	World leading or internationally excellent research	4^*	3^*	2^*	1^*	FTE equivalent
Allied Health Professions, Dentistry, Nursing and Pharmacy (UoA 03) popup window	College of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences	Advanced Clinical Practice, Art Psychotherapy, Biomedical Sciences, Life Sciences, Occupational Therapy, Physician Associate, Physiotherapy, Public Health and Health Promotion, Nursing	84.0%	35.0%	49.0%	15.0%	0.0%	72.8
Anthropology and Development Studies (UoA 22) popup window	College of Business, Arts and Social Sciences	Anthropology	88.0%	17.0%	71.0%	12.0%	0.0%	11
Business and Management Studies (UoA 17) popup window	College of Business, Arts and Social Sciences	Business School	64.0%	19.0%	45.0%	25.0%	11.0%	72
Computer Science and Informatics (UoA 11) popup window	College of Engineering, Design and Physical Sciences	Computer Science	69.0%	27.0%	42.0%	24.0%	0.0%	37.3
Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences (UoA 07) popup window	College of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences College of Engineering, Design and Physical Sciences	Environmental Sciences	81.0%	15.0%	66.0%	19.0%	0.0%	16.4
Economics and Econometrics (UoA 16) popup window	College of Business, Arts and Social Sciences	Economics and Finance	61.0%	1.0%	60.0%	29.0%	9.0%	37.6
Education (UoA 23) popup window	College of Business, Arts and Social Sciences	Education	53.0%	10.0%	43.0%	43.0%	4.0%	18.2
Engineering (UoA 12) popup window	College of Engineering, Design and Physical Sciences	Aerospace Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electronic and Electrical Engineering, Mechanical and Automotive Engineering, Design School, Digital Media	81.0%	17.0%	64.0%	13.0%	6.0%	152.8
English Language and Literature (UoA 27) popup window	College of Business, Arts and Social Sciences	Creative Writing, English	75.0%	32.0%	43.0%	25.0%	0.0%	22.5
Law (UoA 18) popup window	College of Business, Arts and Social Sciences	Law	60.0%	26.0%	34.0%	37.0%	3.0%	38.5
Mathematical Sciences (UoA 10) popup window	College of Engineering, Design and Physical Sciences	Mathematics	69.0%	20.0%	49.0%	31.0%	0.0%	26.4
Music, Drama, Dance, Performing Arts, Film and Screen Studies (UoA 33) popup window	College of Business, Arts and Social Sciences	Film Studies, Games Design, Music, Theatre	65.0%	29.0%	36.0%	26.0%	9.0%	26.0
Politics and International Studies (UoA 19) popup window	College of Business, Arts and Social Sciences	History, Politics and International Relations	80.0%	20.0%	60.0%	20.0%	0.0%	27.0
Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience (UoA 04) popup window	College of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences	Psychology	51.0%	14.0%	37.0%	38.0%	9.0%	34.0
Sociology (UoA 21) popup window	College of Business, Arts and Social Sciences	Journalism, Sociology	69.0%	18.0%	51.0%	30.0%	1.0%	19.6
Sport and Exercise Sciences, Leisure and Tourism (UoA 24) popup window	College of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences	Sport, Health and Exercise Sciences	94.0%	36.0%	58.0%	6.0%	0.0%	26.0

Allied Health Professions, Dentistry, Nursing and Pharmacy (UoA 03)	4^*	3^*	2^*	1^*	U/C
Overall	35.0%	49.0%	15.0%	0.0%	1.0%
Output (65%)	41.8%	42.3%	14.3%	0.5%	1.1%
Impact (20%)	33.3%	41.7%	25.0%	0.0%	0.0%
Environment (15%)	12.5%	87.5%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%

84% of research in Allied Health Professions, Dentistry, Nursing and Pharmacy at Brunel is world-class or international research

Helping policymakers stub out smoking

The Brunel team’s new tools allowed policy makers to gain a better understanding of what measures would give them a better Return on Investment - Example of REF 2021 Case Study Read more on Helping policymakers stub out smoking

Anthropology and Development Studies (UoA 22)	4^*	3^*	2^*	1^*	U/C
Overall	17.0%	71.0%	12.0%	0.0%	0.0%
Output (65%)	28.6%	71.4%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%
Impact (20%)	0.0%	50.0%	50.0%	0.0%	0.0%
Environment (15%)	0.0%	100.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%

88% of research in Anthropology and Development Studies at Brunel is world leading or internationally excellent

Rwanda’s ‘Uber for motorbike taxis’ triumph

An uber-style phone app that helps motorbike taxi riders find careful drivers and makes the streets safer transforms transport across Africa. - Example of REF 2021 Case Study Read more on Rwanda’s ‘Uber for motorbike taxis’ triumph

Business and Management Studies (UoA 17)	4^*	3^*	2^*	1^*	U/C
Overall	19.0%	45.0%	25.0%	11.0%	0.0%
Output (65%)	21.1%	52.2%	25.0%	1.7%	0.0%
Impact (20%)	25.0%	16.7%	16.6%	41.7%	0.0%
Environment (15%)	0.0%	62.5%	37.5%	0.0%	0.0%

64% of research in Business and Management at Brunel is world-leading or internationally excellent

AI Adoption and Governance

AI Adoption and Governance: Implications for Labour Market Reform, Ethical Frameworks, and Global Innovation Dynamics - Example of REF 2021 Case Study Read more on AI Adoption and Governance

A close-up of a hand holding a glowing AI symbol with filmmaking icons around

Business brains helping Uganda dairy farmers milk it

Waste-saving ideas borrowed from Japanese car makers are the magic formula helping Uganda’s dairy farmers - Example of REF 2021 Case Study Read more on Business brains helping Uganda dairy farmers milk it

Computer Science and Informatics (UoA 11)	4^*	3^*	2^*	1^*	U/C
Overall	27.0%	42.0%	24.0%	0.0%	7.0%
Output (65%)	39.8%	41.9%	17.2%	0.0%	1.1%
Impact (20%)	12.5%	37.5%	25.0%	0.0%	25.0%
Environment (15%)	0.0%	50.0%	50.0%	0.0%	0.0%

69% of the research in Computer Science and Informatics at Brunel is world-class or internationally recognised

Connecting Africa: New Networks for Open Science

The Brunel team set about working with groups in a number of African countries to share the research and knowledge that underpinned the European system. - Example of REF 2021 Case Study Read more on Connecting Africa: New Networks for Open Science

Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences (UoA 07)	4^*	3^*	2^*	1^*	U/C
Overall	15.0%	66.0%	19.0%	0.0%	0.0%
Output (65%)	4.9%	82.9%	12.2%	0.0%	0.0%
Impact (20%)	50.0%	50.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%
Environment (15%)	0.0%	25.0%	75.0%	0.0%	0.0%

81% of research in Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences at Brunel is world-leading or internationally excellent

New safety laws for chemicals

Our food, our water and the things we use everyday are constantly contaminated by hundreds of harmful chemicals that build up in bodies and the environment. - Example of REF 2021 Case Study Read more on New safety laws for chemicals

Economics and Econometrics (UoA 16)	4^*	3^*	2^*	1^*	U/C
Overall	1.0%	60.0%	29.0%	9.0%	1.0%
Output (65%)	1.1%	57.4%	35.1%	5.3%	1.1%
Impact (20%)	0.0%	50.0%	25.0%	25.0%	0.0%
Environment (15%)	0.0%	87.5%	12.5%	0.0%	0.0%

61% of research in Economics and Econometrics at Brunel is world-leading or internationally excellent

AI Adoption and Governance

AI Adoption and Governance: Implications for Labour Market Reform, Ethical Frameworks, and Global Innovation Dynamics - Example of REF 2021 Case Study Read more on AI Adoption and Governance

Caribbean pensions on a better financial footing

An outstanding example of how effective pension reforms can have a fundamental impact on both regulators and at-risk people in several countries. - Example of REF 2021 Case Study Read more on Caribbean pensions on a better financial footing

Education (UoA 23)	4^*	3^*	2^*	1^*	U/C
Overall	10.0%	43.0%	43.0%	4.0%	0.0%
Output (65%)	17.4%	47.8%	28.3%	6.5%	0.0%
Impact (20%)	0.0%	25.0%	75.0%	0.0%	0.0%
Environment (15%)	0.0%	50.0%	50.0%	0.0%	0.0%

53% of research in Education at Brunel is world-leading or internationally excellent

AI Adoption and Governance

AI Adoption and Governance: Implications for Labour Market Reform, Ethical Frameworks, and Global Innovation Dynamics - Example of REF 2021 Case Study Read more on AI Adoption and Governance

Helping housing associations offer better services, training and support

Dr Wainwright drew on geographies and sociologies of education, training and welfare to help housing associations design smarter services for their residents - Example of REF 2021 Case Study Read more on Helping housing associations offer better services, training and support

Engineering (UoA 12)	4^*	3^*	2^*	1^*	U/C
Overall	17.0%	64.0%	13.0%	6.0%	0.0%
Output (65%)	14.4%	64.7%	15.7%	5.2%	0.0%
Impact (20%)	11.1%	61.1%	16.7%	11.1%	0.0%
Environment (15%)	37.5%	62.5%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%

81% of research in Engineering at Brunel is world-leading or internationally excellent

Wrexham firm decked out with Brunel research

Prof Fan’s helped the company develop the technology needed to produce a consistent and reliable product from a wood and plastic composite - Example of REF 2021 Case Study Read more on Wrexham firm decked out with Brunel research

English Language and Literature (UoA 27)	4^*	3^*	2^*	1^*	U/C
Overall	32.0%	43.0%	25.0%	0.0%	0.0%
Output (65%)	35.7%	39.3%	25.0%	0.0%	0.0%
Impact (20%)	33.3%	33.4%	33.3%	0.0%	0.0%
Environment (15%)	12.5%	77.5%	10.0%	0.0%	0.0%

90% of research environment in English Language and Literature at Brunel was assessed as world-leading or internationally excellent

Transforming the literary landscape

Brunel English academics had collectively changed their industry, making it more inclusive, more diverse and more reflective of 21st century Britain. - Example of REF 2021 Case Study Read more on Transforming the literary landscape

Law (UoA 18)	4^*	3^*	2^*	1^*	U/C
Overall	26.0%	34.0%	37.0%	3.0%	0.0%
Output (65%)	21.8%	34.5%	39.1%	4.6%	0.0%
Impact (20%)	50.0%	25.0%	25.0%	0.0%	0.0%
Environment (15%)	0.0%	50.0%	50.0%	0.0%	0.0%

64% of research in Law at Brunel is world-leading or internationally excellent

Problems with family courts exposed

Dr Barnett has changed public opinion, shaped the political agenda and changed laws and legal practice to help domestic abuse survivors and their children. - Example of REF 2021 Case Study Read more on Problems with family courts exposed

Mathematical Sciences (UoA 10)	4^*	3^*	2^*	1^*	U/C
Overall	20.0%	49.0%	31.0%	0.0%	0.0%
Output (65%)	19.7%	68.2%	12.1%	0.0%	0.0%
Impact (20%)	33.3%	0.0%	66.7%	0.0%	0.0%
Environment (15%)	0.0%	50.0%	50.0%	0.0%	0.0%

69% of research in Mathematics at Brunel is world-leading or internationally excellent

Extreme modelling: statistical research fix for difficult-to-predict situations

Prof Yu’s disseminated modelling approaches have been used by TWI in Japan and the United Arab Emirates, to reduce risk of catastrophic incidents. - Example of REF 2021 Case Study Read more on Extreme modelling: statistical research fix for difficult-to-predict situations

Music, Drama, Dance, Performing Arts, Film and Screen Studies (UoA 33)	4^*	3^*	2^*	1^*	U/C
Overall	29.0%	36.0%	26.0%	9.0%	0.0%
Output (65%)	35.4%	30.8%	26.1%	7.7%	0.0%
Impact (20%)	0.0%	50.0%	33.3%	16.7%	0.0%
Environment (15%)	55.0%	32.5%	12.5%	0.0%	0.0%

65% of research in Music, Drama, Dance, Performing Arts, Film and Screen Studies at Brunel is world-leading or internationally excellent

Putting working class actors centre stage

Award-winning documentary The Acting Class spotlights the class divide in the creative industries focussing on the barriers for young working class actors. - Example of REF 2021 Case Study Read more on Putting working class actors centre stage

Politics and International Studies (UoA 19)	4^*	3^*	2^*	1^*	U/C
Overall	20.0%	60.0%	20.0%	0.0%	0.0%
Output (65%)	16.2%	55.9%	27.9%	0.0%	0.0%
Impact (20%)	33.3%	66.7%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%
Environment (15%)	12.5%	62.5%	25.0%	0.0%	0.0%

80% of research in Politics and International Studies at Brunel is world-leading or internationally excellent

21st century poachers: How intelligence experts are helping save the rhino

Intelligence-led approach helps parks reduce their poaching incidents and increase poaching arrests. - Example of REF 2021 Case Study Read more on 21st century poachers: How intelligence experts are helping save the rhino

Research team member Luke Townsend doing intelligence training with local rangers.

AI Adoption and Governance

AI Adoption and Governance: Implications for Labour Market Reform, Ethical Frameworks, and Global Innovation Dynamics - Example of REF 2021 Case Study Read more on AI Adoption and Governance

Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience (UoA 04)	4^*	3^*	2^*	1^*	U/C
Overall	14.0%	37.0%	38.0%	9.0%	2.0%
Output (65%)	23.1%	48.7%	24.4%	1.2%	2.6%
Impact (20%)	0.0%	0.0%	66.7%	33.3%	0.0%
Environment (15%)	0.0%	50.0%	50.0%	0.0%	0.0%

51% of research in Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience at Brunel is world-leading or internationally excellent

See Less: How to help a billion breakups

Facebook rolled the See Less button out to 2.7 billion users, with hundreds of millions of people using the feature to control whose life interacts with theirs. - Example of REF 2021 Case Study Read more on See Less: How to help a billion breakups

Sociology (UoA 21)	4^*	3^*	2^*	1^*	U/C
Overall	18.0%	51.0%	30.0%	1.0%	0.0%
Output (65%)	30.6%	32.7%	34.7%	2.0%	0.0%
Impact (20%)	0.0%	100.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%
Environment (15%)	0.0%	37.5%	62.5%	0.0%	0.0%

69% of research in Sociology at Brunel is world-leading or internationally excellent

Sensing our need for authentic experiences of cities

Research shaping new ways of thinking and informing new working practices for museum curators, educators, architects and urban planners - Example of REF 2021 Case Study Read more on Sensing our need for authentic experiences of cities

Sport and Exercise Sciences, Leisure and Tourism (UoA 24)	4^*	3^*	2^*	1^*	U/C
Overall	36.0%	58.0%	6.0%	0.0%	0.0%
Output (65%)	29.2%	61.6%	9.2%	0.0%	0.0%
Impact (20%)	50.0%	50.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%
Environment (15%)	37.5%	62.5%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%

94% of research in Sport and Exercise Sciences, Leisure and Tourism was rated as world leading or internationally excellent

Making the beautiful game fair play

Sports sociologist, Dr Laura Hills’ research into mixed gender football directly set up five far-reaching changes in national policy - Example of REF 2021 Case Study Read more on Making the beautiful game fair play

Find out more about REF methodology and terminology

Six quick facts about our submission

100% of eligible staff submitted across 16 areas of study (Units of Assessment)
Submission size increased to 659 staff, up 10% since 2014 in FTE terms
1,576 research outputs, including papers, performances and prize-winning fiction
59 impact case studies collaborating with partners all over the globe
£158 million research grant income
1,263 doctoral degrees awarded

Independent assessment of our research quality

The quality of the research we submitted was assessed by four expert panels made up of academics (including from Higher Education institutions in the UK and overseas), research users and experts in interdisciplinary research.

Arts and humanities

Health and life sciences

Physical sciences, engineering and mathematics

Social sciences

View a selection of our REF impact case studies

View all

Supporting and sharing our research

Sharing, publishing and preserving our research

Supportive place for researchers

Research Excellence Framework 2021

The results of REF 2021 confirm Brunel's position as a top 40 UK research-intensive university, with the volume of our 'world-leading' research – the REF's top category – increasing by nearly two thirds (63%) in the past seven years.

Overall research quality