UK universities and higher education colleges are asked to submit examples of their best research every six years to be assessed by panels appointed by the UK's four main research funding bodies. These panels consist of a team of academics and industry experts.
The REF2014 was carried out in 36 subject-based units of assessment (UoAs). These expert sub-panels - comprising 898 academics and 259 research users - carried out the assessment. The sub-panels worked under the guidance of four main panels, producing a sub-profile for each element (outputs, impact and environment) which was combined into an overall quality profile.
Key terminology
UoA = Unit of Assessment. Brunel submitted to 21 of the total units of assessment in the last REF exercise.
Understanding the results
The primary outcome of the assessment was to award an overall quality profile, showing the proportion of the submission that meets each of the following starred levels:
4* = World leading
3* = Internationally Excellent
2* = Internationally Recognised
1* = Nationally Recognised
U = Unclassified.
REF expert panels
Each area and phase of submission to REF is assessed by an expert panel appointed by the four UK funding bodies. Find out about Brunel staff appointed to the panels here.
More detail regarding the criteria for the sub panels can be found on the REF website.