Earlier in the year I set out a list of 4* REF2014 impact case studies to make it easy to find examples of good practice.
It’s a useful resource but there is a snag: 11 of the 36 UoAs have no obvious 4* impact case studies so it leaves something to be desired if (a) you’re looking for good examples in UoAs…
- 7. Earth Systems & Environmental Sciences
- 8. Chemistry
- 9. Physics
- 10. Mathematical Sciences
- 11. Computer Science & Informatics
- 12. Aeronautical, Mechanical, Chemical and Manufacturing Engineering
- 15. General Engineering
- 19. Business & Management Studies
- 21. Politics & International Studies
- 31. Classics
- 33. Theology and Religious Studies
… or (b) you want to look at a wider selection of high-scoring case studies than the limited view the 4* list gives you (for example, there’s only one case study for UoA34 on the 4* list).
That’s why I’ve put together a new list setting out the top 5 impact submissions in each UoA along with their scores. Now you can find high-scoring examples in any UoA.
As before, my starting point is that a browse of high-scoring REF2014 impact case studies can help authors articulate their own impact, get them over the tyranny of the blank page, provide inspiration around evidence and indicator types, and so on. Though things may have moved on in REF2021, the REF2014 database is still our best resource when it comes to writing REF impact case studies. The REF results did not attach scores directly to impact case studies so the easier it is for authors and impact geeks to find relevant high-scoring examples, the better.
Click on the UoA of interest below and you’ll uncover the top 5 impact submissions in that UoA with scores (out of a possible 4.00, obviously) and links to the REF2014 results site where you can access the impact case studies for each submission.
Note: for UoA 17 which unhelpfully combines Geography and Archaeology, I have split these into Geography-only and Archaeology-only top 5s.
Top five impact submissions by REF 2014 UoA
1. Clinical MedicineUniversity of Bristol (4.00)
University of Dundee (4.00)
Imperial College London (3.94)
Institute of Cancer Research (3.90)
University of Aberdeen (3.83)
2. Public Health, Health Services and Primary CareUniversity of Dundee (4.00)
Imperial College London (3.94)
Institute of Cancer Research (3.90)
University of Aberdeen (3.83)
University of Bristol (4.00)
University of Sheffield (3.95)
University of Oxford (3.90)
Keele University (3.90)
University of Liverpool (3.90)
3. Allied Health Professions, Dentistry, Nursing and PharmacyUniversity of Sheffield (3.95)
University of Oxford (3.90)
Keele University (3.90)
University of Liverpool (3.90)
University of Southampton (4.00)
University of Nottingham (A – Pharmacy) (4.00)
Cardiff University (3.90)
University of Sheffield (B – Biomedical Science) (3.89)
University of Manchester (3.87)
4. Psychology, Psychiatry and NeuroscienceUniversity of Nottingham (A – Pharmacy) (4.00)
Cardiff University (3.90)
University of Sheffield (B – Biomedical Science) (3.89)
University of Manchester (3.87)
Birkbeck College (4.00)
Swansea University (4.00)
University of Stirling (4.00)
University of East London (4.00)
Newcastle University (3.87)
5. Biological SciencesSwansea University (4.00)
University of Stirling (4.00)
University of East London (4.00)
Newcastle University (3.87)
University of York (3.92)
University of St Andrews (3.90)
Institute of Cancer Research (3.80)
University of Edinburgh (3.80)
University of Dundee (3.75)
6. Agriculture, Veterinary and Food ScienceUniversity of St Andrews (3.90)
Institute of Cancer Research (3.80)
University of Edinburgh (3.80)
University of Dundee (3.75)
University of Aberdeen (4.00)
University of Warwick (4.00)
University of Stirling (3.90)
University of Greenwich (3.90)
University of Reading (3.85)
7. Earth Systems & Environmental SciencesUniversity of Warwick (4.00)
University of Stirling (3.90)
University of Greenwich (3.90)
University of Reading (3.85)
University of East Anglia (3.77)
Newcastle University (3.73)
Lancaster University (3.68)
Brunel University London (3.67)
Institute of Zoology (3.63)
8. ChemistryNewcastle University (3.73)
Lancaster University (3.68)
Brunel University London (3.67)
Institute of Zoology (3.63)
University of Durham (3.76)
University of Cambridge (3.66)
University of Liverpool (3.60)
Cardiff University (3.50)
University of Manchester (3.50)
9. PhysicsUniversity of Cambridge (3.66)
University of Liverpool (3.60)
Cardiff University (3.50)
University of Manchester (3.50)
University of Manchester (3.83)
University of Strathclyde (3.80)
University of Nottingham (3.73)
University of Bath (3.67)
University of Leeds (3.67)
10. Mathematical SciencesUniversity of Strathclyde (3.80)
University of Nottingham (3.73)
University of Bath (3.67)
University of Leeds (3.67)
University of Oxford (3.88)
Royal Holloway, University of London (3.80)
Lancaster University (3.77)
University of Bristol (3.65)
University of Dundee (3.60)
11. Computer Science & InformaticsRoyal Holloway, University of London (3.80)
Lancaster University (3.77)
University of Bristol (3.65)
University of Dundee (3.60)
Newcastle University (3.90)
University of Warwick (3.87)
University of Cambridge (3.87)
University of Southampton (3.84)
University College London (3.80)
12. Aeronautical, Mechanical, Chemical and Manufacturing EngineeringUniversity of Warwick (3.87)
University of Cambridge (3.87)
University of Southampton (3.84)
University College London (3.80)
University of Birmingham (B – Chemical Eng) (3.70)
Imperial College London (3.69)
University of Manchester (A – Chemical Eng) (3.60)
University of Leeds (3.60)
University of Manchester (B – Mechanical, Aerospace and Manufacturing Eng) (3.60)
13. Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Metallurgy and MaterialsImperial College London (3.69)
University of Manchester (A – Chemical Eng) (3.60)
University of Leeds (3.60)
University of Manchester (B – Mechanical, Aerospace and Manufacturing Eng) (3.60)
Imperial College London (A – Electrical and Electronic Eng) (4.00)
University of Oxford (3.90)
University of Cambridge (3.80)
University of Plymouth (3.70)
Imperial College London (B – Metallurgy and Materials) (3.60)
14. Civil and Construction EngineeringUniversity of Oxford (3.90)
University of Cambridge (3.80)
University of Plymouth (3.70)
Imperial College London (B – Metallurgy and Materials) (3.60)
Cardiff University (4.00)
Imperial College London (3.66)
University of Manchester (3.50)
Newcastle University (3.42)
University of Dundee (3.30)
15. General EngineeringImperial College London (3.66)
University of Manchester (3.50)
Newcastle University (3.42)
University of Dundee (3.30)
University of Oxford (3.80)
King’s College London (3.80)
Cardiff University (3.80)
University of Durham (3.70)
University of Bristol (3.66)
16. Architecture, Built Environment and PlanningKing’s College London (3.80)
Cardiff University (3.80)
University of Durham (3.70)
University of Bristol (3.66)
University of Bath (3.90)
Cardiff University (B – Architecture) (3.90)
University of Sheffield (3.70)
University of Reading (3.70)
University of Cambridge (3.68)
17. Geography, Environmental Studies and ArchaeologyCardiff University (B – Architecture) (3.90)
University of Sheffield (3.70)
University of Reading (3.70)
University of Cambridge (3.68)
University of St Andrews (3.76)
University of Leicester (A – Archaeology) (3.73)
University of Sussex (3.70)
University of Hull (3.70)
University of York (3.63)
17. Archaeology onlyUniversity of Leicester (A – Archaeology) (3.73)
University of Sussex (3.70)
University of Hull (3.70)
University of York (3.63)
University of Leicester (A – Archaeology) (3.73)
University of Exeter (B – Archaeology) (3.60)
University of Southampton (A – Archaeology) (3.50)
University of Oxford (A – Archaeology) (3.40)
University of Sheffield (A – Archaeology) (3.40)
17. Geography onlyUniversity of Exeter (B – Archaeology) (3.60)
University of Southampton (A – Archaeology) (3.50)
University of Oxford (A – Archaeology) (3.40)
University of Sheffield (A – Archaeology) (3.40)
Newcastle University (B – Geography) (3.60)
University College London (B – Geography) (3.58)
University of Cambridge (B – Geography) (3.57)
University of Bristol (A – Geography) (3.50)
University of Glasgow (A – Geography) (3.40)
18. Economics and EconometricsUniversity College London (B – Geography) (3.58)
University of Cambridge (B – Geography) (3.57)
University of Bristol (A – Geography) (3.50)
University of Glasgow (A – Geography) (3.40)
University of Bristol (4.00)
University College London (3.92)
London School of Economics (3.87)
University of Warwick (3.60)
University of Oxford (3.51)
19. Business & Management StudiesUniversity College London (3.92)
London School of Economics (3.87)
University of Warwick (3.60)
University of Oxford (3.51)
University of Cambridge (3.84)
University of Aberdeen (3.80)
University of Strathclyde (3.75)
University of St Andrews (3.73)
University of Brighton (3.73)
20. LawUniversity of Aberdeen (3.80)
University of Strathclyde (3.75)
University of St Andrews (3.73)
University of Brighton (3.73)
University of Ulster (4.00)
University College London (3.87)
University of Edinburgh (3.87)
King’s College London (3.80)
University of Durham (3.80)
21. Politics & International StudiesUniversity College London (3.87)
University of Edinburgh (3.87)
King’s College London (3.80)
University of Durham (3.80)
University of Oxford (3.87)
University of Sheffield (3.73)
University of Essex (3.70)
Keele University (3.70)
University of Leeds (3.67)
22. Social Work and Social PolicyUniversity of Sheffield (3.73)
University of Essex (3.70)
Keele University (3.70)
University of Leeds (3.67)
University of Oxford (4.00)
London School of Economics (4.00)
University of York (4.00)
University College London (4.00)
University of Kent (3.93)
23. SociologyLondon School of Economics (4.00)
University of York (4.00)
University College London (4.00)
University of Kent (3.93)
University of York (4.00)
Cardiff University (3.80)
Lancaster University (3.80)
University of Bristol (3.63)
University of Manchester (3.60)
24. Anthropology and Development StudiesCardiff University (3.80)
Lancaster University (3.80)
University of Bristol (3.63)
University of Manchester (3.60)
Queen’s University Belfast (4.00)
University of Manchester (B – Development Studies) (3.70)
London School of Economics (B – International Development) (3.67)
University of Edinburgh (3.60)
University of Durham (3.53)
25. EducationUniversity of Manchester (B – Development Studies) (3.70)
London School of Economics (B – International Development) (3.67)
University of Edinburgh (3.60)
University of Durham (3.53)
University of Nottingham (4.00)
University of Sheffield (4.00)
University of Durham (4.00)
King’s College London (3.93)
University of Oxford (3.84)
26. Sport and Exercise Sciences, Leisure and TourismUniversity of Sheffield (4.00)
University of Durham (4.00)
King’s College London (3.93)
University of Oxford (3.84)
University of Bristol (4.00)
Liverpool John Moores University (3.90)
Loughborough University (3.75)
University of Bath (3.73)
Swansea University (3.70)
27. Area StudiesLiverpool John Moores University (3.90)
Loughborough University (3.75)
University of Bath (3.73)
Swansea University (3.70)
London School of Economics (4.00)
University of Exeter (4.00)
London Metropolitan University (3.70)
University College London (3.68)
University of Nottingham (A – American and Canadian Studies) (3.63)
28. Modern Languages and LinguisticsUniversity of Exeter (4.00)
London Metropolitan University (3.70)
University College London (3.68)
University of Nottingham (A – American and Canadian Studies) (3.63)
Cardiff University (4.00)
Bangor University (3.90)
Heriot-Watt University (3.90)
University of Sheffield (B – Linguistics) (3.80)
University of Reading (3.80)
29. English Language and LiteratureBangor University (3.90)
Heriot-Watt University (3.90)
University of Sheffield (B – Linguistics) (3.80)
University of Reading (3.80)
Newcastle University (4.00)
Swansea University (4.00)
University of Bedfordshire (4.00)
Kingston University (4.00)
University of St Andrews (3.90)
30. HistorySwansea University (4.00)
University of Bedfordshire (4.00)
Kingston University (4.00)
University of St Andrews (3.90)
University of Hertfordshire (4.00)
University of Aberdeen (3.73)
King’s College London (3.68)
University of Glasgow (3.66)
De Montfort University (3.60)
31. ClassicsUniversity of Aberdeen (3.73)
King’s College London (3.68)
University of Glasgow (3.66)
De Montfort University (3.60)
University of Cambridge (3.66)
University of Oxford (3.60)
University of Kent (3.60)
University of Durham (3.50)
University of St Andrews (3.50)
32. PhilosophyUniversity of Oxford (3.60)
University of Kent (3.60)
University of Durham (3.50)
University of St Andrews (3.50)
University of Birmingham (3.80)
Keele University (3.80)
University of Cambridge (B – History and Philosophy of Science) (3.74)
University College London (3.70)
Cardiff University (3.70)
33. Theology and Religious StudiesKeele University (3.80)
University of Cambridge (B – History and Philosophy of Science) (3.74)
University College London (3.70)
Cardiff University (3.70)
Lancaster University (3.87)
University of Durham (3.77)
University of Birmingham (3.60)
University of Kent (3.60)
University of Cambridge (3.53)
34. Art and Design: History, Practice and TheoryUniversity of Durham (3.77)
University of Birmingham (3.60)
University of Kent (3.60)
University of Cambridge (3.53)
Heriot-Watt University (3.90)
University of York (3.87)
University of East Anglia (3.80)
Sheffield Hallam University (3.73)
University of Glasgow (3.73)
35. Music, Drama, Dance and Performing ArtsUniversity of York (3.87)
University of East Anglia (3.80)
Sheffield Hallam University (3.73)
University of Glasgow (3.73)
Queen Mary University of London (4.00)
University of Southampton (4.00)
Goldsmiths’ College (A – Music) (4.00)
Royal Northern College of Music (4.00)
University of Huddersfield (3.90)
36. Communication, Cultural and Media Studies, Library and Information ManagementUniversity of Southampton (4.00)
Goldsmiths’ College (A – Music) (4.00)
Royal Northern College of Music (4.00)
University of Huddersfield (3.90)
London School of Economics (4.00)
Cardiff University (4.00)
University of Leicester (B – Museum Studies) (4.00)
King’s College London (3.90)
Goldsmiths’ College (3.87)
Cardiff University (4.00)
University of Leicester (B – Museum Studies) (4.00)
King’s College London (3.90)
Goldsmiths’ College (3.87)
Things to bear in mind
- The score for each submission includes the impact template as well as the impact case studies. This can throw up some odd-looking results, for example in UoA5, St Andrews is 2nd in the top 5 (with an overall impact score of 3.90 – including the impact template) but it also appears in the 4* list as the only UoA5 submission to get 4* for all impact case studies!
- Just because a submission has a score at the top end of the 3s, you can’t count on all the case studies therein being 3* and 4*. For example, Imperial’s UoA12 submission comes 2nd in class with a score of 3.69 which looks great. However, the impact profile (detailed breakdown of scores – available by clicking “view submission” in the breadcrumb trail of any of the linked REF submission pages) shows that one of the case studies in this submission scored 1.5… It just so happens that the average was buoyed by all 17 other case studies scoring 4*! It should be possible to spot the 1.5 among all the 4s but my point is you can’t always select a high-scoring submission and be sure everything is within it is high-scoring (a bit like journal impact factors…). This isn’t a common issue – I had to search for this example – but it does come up so check those impact profiles if you want to ensure everything is 3* and 4*. The impact profiles can be tricky to interpret – if in doubt ask a friendly REF person to help you decode them! Just to complete this story, all four other submissions in the UoA12 top 5 contained exclusively 3* and 4* case studies.
I hope this all makes sense and helps everyone find some good impact case study examples, whatever your area. Any issues, just leave a comment or get in touch!
This is a really useful resource for those of us who need examples of good impact case studies. I know it would be rather shaming and perhaps difficult, but would a similar list of poor examples, along with reasons why the studies were generally uc or 1*, also be useful. I use some of these regularly when I’m training but it would be good to have a longer list.
I think it is a good idea to look at lower scoring case studies for comparison. I have done this with groups but you’re right, it would be a different matter to put it out there to a wide audience… Personally I’d be uncomfortable doing this but I would be happy to help people identify sets of lower-scoring case studies for use in their own area.