Recognition for international
research excellence
A
s u b s t a n t i a l
percentage of
Q M U ’s re s e a rc h
has been rated as world
leading or internationally
excellent. This was the
exciting news which was
revealed by the recent
R e s e a rc h E x c e l l e n c e
Framework (REF 2014).
REF 2014 is an important exercise which
assesses the quality impact of UK higher
education institutions’ research in all
disciplines. The REF results, which were
published in December 2014, clearly
showed that QMU had achieved its
best ever results with 58% of its overall
research being rated as world leading or
internationally excellent.
8
research facility (with 36% of its publications
rated as world leading). 92% of the
University’s speech research and impact
rated as internationally excellent or world
leading. Speech and Language Sciences
is 2nd in the UK and 1st in Scotland for
the proportion of research classed as
internationally excellent or world leading
(92%).
How research
makes an impact
S
ince its inception in 1875, QMU has always aimed to improve quality
of life and to respond to some of the most pressing and current issues
affecting society.
As part of the Research Excellence Framework, QMU had the opportunity to
demonstrate, through its case studies, how its research work is relevant and makes
an impact – both locally on individuals and communities, as well as globally. Here are
some impact case study highlights from REF 2014.
The REF showed that QMU is now
producing three times as many world
leading publications than it did in 2008
and has moved up 49 places (since the
last Research Assessment Exercise 2008)
within the Times Higher Education rankings
for research excellence. Psychology experts have been working to advance the inclusion of lesbian, gay,
bisexual and transgender (LGBT) young people in education. The research is being
used to tackle negative and discriminatory attitudes towards LGBT people in Scotland
and to improve their opportunities and ultimately quality of life.
Already recognised for outstanding
work in speech sciences, the REF results
confirmed that QMU’s Clinical Audiology,
Speech and Language Research Centre
continues to be an internationally renowned This work has contributed greatly to a group set up by the Scottish Government
to tackle the issues of discrimination against LGBT people in Scotland. Many
recommendations from the research have been implemented by the Scottish
Government. The research has helped shape policy and services in education, health
and welfare for LGBT young people in Scotland and beyond.
Including LGBT young people in education
QMYOU / Research Excellence Framework