At ARU we're committed to transforming lives through innovative, inclusive and entrepreneurial education and research. The most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF) results highlight the impact our research has on people’s lives – as we focus on tackling real-world issues, and improving the societies we live in.
The Research Excellence Framework is the UK’s system for assessing the quality of research in UK higher education institutions, and is carried out every six to seven years.
REF 2021 results were published on 12 May 2022, and they confirm that we have significantly increased the quality and impact of our research.
ARU submitted research in sixteen subject areas, and nine of those were judged to have achieved world-leading 'impact' – that is the change or benefit they have made to the wider world. Every subject area included some research rated as world-leading.
We’re incredibly proud of our staff and the life-changing research they are carrying out. Here, you can read a series of case studies that illustrate the depth and breadth of research work being conducted out at ARU.
Contact us if you would like to learn more about our REF results, collaborate with us on research or access our expertise to support your business.
Our submissions to REF2021 were developed in accordance with our Code of Practice (PDF) and subjected to an Equality Impact Assessment (PDF).
