Library REF session 10 March 2011

1. Library REF session 10 March 2011 The Research Excellence Framework: Possible current strategies and priorities for the social sciences Judy Sebba j.c.sebba@sussex.ac.uk Director of Research and Knowledge Exchange School of Education and Social Work

2. How research is defined For the purposes of the REF, research will be defined as ‘a process of investigation leading to new insights effectively shared’; In social sciences, research submitted is likely to range from entirely theoretical/methodological contributions through to very applied research; But, any very applied research must make clear the theoretical and/or methodological underpinnings.

3. What are ‘REFable’ outputs? • All types of outputs from research meeting the definition are eligible for submission, including ‘grey literature’ and practice-based outputs; • ‘Output statements’ to cover research basis of publication if not clear, user significance & co-authorship (can’t submit to same submission); • From RAE 2008, sub-panel criteria stated: “the sub-panel will have regard to the research quality and not to the type of output.” • This university privileges peer reviewed journal publications in internationally recognised outlets, peer reviewed authored or co-authored books. Editing as a scholarly activity only in research environment. Book chapters if peer reviewed; • Quality of outputs is assessed by rigour, originality and significance.

4. Rigour, significance and originalityDefinitions from 2008 • Rigour - methodological and theoretical robustness, …includes traditional qualities such as reliability and validity, and also qualities such as integrity, consistency of argument & consideration of ethical issues… demonstrating a sound background of scholarship, …engagement with relevant literature, • Originality - engages with new or complex problems or debates and/or tackles existing problems in new ways. eg. a review of existing research … if it analyses and/or synthesises the field in new ways, providing new and salient conceptualisations…innovative methods and methodologies, analytical models or theories and concepts. • Significance - the extent to which research outputs display the capacity to make a difference either through intellectual influence within the academic sphere, or through actual or potential use beyond the academic sphere, or both.

5. Interdisciplinarity and the REF • Interdisciplinary funding likely to be more favorably received than previously because: • submissions not always related to a single, coherent organisational structure e.g. Anthropology & development studies; • members with specific interdisciplinary expertise to be included on sub-panels; • cross-panel membership encouraged in cases where there are strong connections across panels.

6. Priorities and strategies • Publication – aim high and prioritise until end 2012? Check electronic release of papers in journals. • Research income – diversify funders, target research councils, spur in 2012 and 2013 but need to spend it? • Support across departmental/school community – those that have 4 plus strong publications to assist others? • Planned co-authorship • Planned role as co-PIs for strong contract researchers • Impact – keep running record and evidence with names of possible verifiers