Thursday 12 05 2022
Ninety percent of research at University of the West of Scotland is world-leading, internationally excellent, or recognised internationally, according to a national assessment.
The University also increased its position for research intensity, in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF) – now ranking within the top 90 universities in the UK.
UWS’s REF results include an outstanding performance for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Leisure and Tourism, ranking within the top three Scottish universities in this area, with 71 percent of research recognised as world-leading or internationally excellent.
The University also saw 100 percent of its impact in Physics recognised as internationally excellent.
Professor Milan Radosavljevic, Vice-Principal, Research, Innovation and Engagement, said: “We are extremely encouraged by the University’s REF results and it is fantastic to see our progress in areas such as research intensity recognised.
“REF offers a partial window into the overall research performance of UWS. The results reinforce the position that UWS makes a significant contribution to economic, social, cultural, health and public policy, both internationally and within our local communities.
“REF provides a great opportunity for reflection and review, in line with our mission and values set out in Strategy 2025 to support excellent, relevant, and purposeful research, aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved in REF – an incredible amount of work went into this exercise from across the Institution and our results wouldn’t be possible without the hard work and dedication of everyone involved.
Professor Milan Radosavljevic, Vice-Principal, Research, Innovation and Engagement
Dr Lucy Meredith, Interim Principal and Vice-Chancellor, added: “We are delighted to share UWS’s REF results. As an institution, UWS’s strategic direction is to strengthen research and innovation which addresses major global challenges and is delivered at a scale and intensity that ensures sustainable impact, globally.
“At UWS, we are proud to be undertaking ground-breaking and distinctive research and innovation and we believe in excellent, relevant and purposeful research which will underpin our strategic growth. REF feeds directly into our strategy and vision for the future of research at UWS and a considerable amount of work went into our submission exercise.”