19 January 2009

Psychology Department Gains Excellent Ratings in the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise

The Department of Psychology at the University of Sheffield is ranked 6th in the UK in terms of Research Power (i.e., quality × quantity of research activity). Ninety-nine per cent of full-time equivalent academic staff (N = 40.45) were included in the department’s RAE2008 submission. During the assessment period (Jan 1, 2001-Dec 31, 2008), members of the department:

  • were awarded £11.46M in research income

  • authored 29 books, 142 chapters, 703 refereed articles, and more than 110 reports for users and practitioners.

The Assessment Sub-Panel noted our “investment in research infrastructure, with clear strategic direction, and a significant increase in external grant income … There was also a healthy number of research studentships … The sub-panel noted evidence of a good amount of interdisciplinary and collaborative research … and noted a strong contribution to policy and practice, as well as to academia.”

The Department’s success in RAE2008 reflects two decades of outstanding research achievement. We received ‘excellent’ ratings (Grade 5A) in all five previous research assessment exercises.

Proportion of Research Activity in the Department at each Quality Threshold

Proportion Quality Definition of Quality Threshold for Research Activity
15% 4* Originality, significance and rigour is world-leading.
35% 3* Originality, significance and rigour is internationally excellent.
45% 2* Originality, significance and rigour is internationally recognised.
5% 1* Originality, significance and rigour is recognised nationally.
0% u/c Quality that falls below the standard of nationally recognised work.