University of Sheffield celebrates its impactful research

• 92 per cent of research and its real-world impact at the University of Sheffield has been rated as world-leading or internationally excellent
• 91 per cent of the Information School's research is rated world-leading or internationally excellent
• Our impact submission was rated 7th nationally
• The REF results are used to inform the allocation of around £2 billion per year of public funding for research
• The University of Sheffield’s submission to the REF included 3,684 outputs, 114 impact case studies and 1,690 staff
• The framework assesses the quality of our research, as well as the impact of that research beyond academia, measuring the benefits of innovative collaboration with business, industry, the public sector and civil society organisations which help to translate groundbreaking ideas into real-world solutions

The publication of the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF), a national assessment of the research taking place across UK universities, has classed 92 per cent of the University of Sheffield’s research as world-leading or internationally excellent. This reaffirms the institute's research excellence across a range of disciplines.

The Information School is also pleased to announce that 91 per cent of their research is rated in the highest two categories in the REF 2021, meaning it is classed as world-leading or internationally excellent. 

The department’s impact submission was rated 7th nationally, showing the research is instrumental in making a real difference to lives around the world.

The Information School was part of Unit of Assessment 34 alongside the Department of Journalism and together we are delighted that more than 90% of our submission was classed as word-leading or internationally excellent", said Professor Val Gillet, Head of the Information School.

We are extremely proud of the real-world impacts of our research and our partnerships and collaborations and so are delighted that all of our impact case studies have been assessed as world-leading or internationally excellent. Our impact submission was rated 7th nationally, showing that our research is instrumental in making a real difference to lives around the world."

Professor Val Gillet

Head of the Information School

The REF results are used to inform the allocation of around £2 billion per year of public funding for universities’ research which aims to make a difference to people’s lives across the globe.

The framework assesses university research according to the quality of research outputs, such as journal articles, books and designs; the impact of research beyond academia, looking at the benefits of innovative collaboration with business, industry, the public sector and civil society organisations which help to translate groundbreaking ideas into real-world solutions; and the environment within universities that supports research.

Professor Sue Hartley, Vice-President for Research at the University of Sheffield, said: “I’m really proud that our REF results confirm that our research is making an impact, but I’m also excited about the future. 

“We’ve set ourselves an ambitious vision for our research to be world-leading and world-changing, to drive intellectual advances and address global challenges. 

“Together I would like us to build on from our REF results and continue to enable and actively promote a culture of research excellence across our community for the benefit of our University, our researchers and the wider world.” 

The University of Sheffield’s submission to the REF included 3,684 outputs, 114 impact case studies and 1,690 staff.

REF is a retrospective exercise looking back over seven years of ground breaking research achieved by leading researchers, and those that support the research environment. The REF is a milestone for inspiring future discoveries and continuing to make a difference to lives across the world.