The School of Mathematical Sciences has made a significant contribution to QMUL’s excellent results in the 2014 Research Excellence Framework (REF), which saw the institution ranked 9th among multi-faculty institutions in the UK. The results of the UK based REF assessment reveal that 87% of the School’s research is rated as either 4-star (world-leading) or 3-star (internationally excellent), the second highest score among the mathematics departments in London. This includes our research outputs, impact of our research and our environment.
The results of the 2014 Research Excellence Framework (REF) were published on 18 December 2014. The REF assessed the quality of universities’ research in all disciplines and the results provide benchmarks and public information about the research performance of universities. All units of assessment (UoA) are assessed in three categories, - research outputs, impact and research environment and the overall quality profile is derived on the basis of this using a weighted average. Nationally, 53 mathematics departments made submissions to the REF 2014.
The overall quality profile confirmed the School of Mathematical Sciences as a top mathematics department in London with 87% of the School’s research being rated as either 4-star (world-leading) or 3-star (internationally excellent). This is the second highest score among the mathematics departments in London and joint 11th in the Russell Group. Nationally, on the basis of combined 4- and 3-star rated research, the School rose 6 places to joint 16th compared to the 2008 national Research Assessment Exercise when 53% of its research was rated 4- or 3-star.
Professor Boris Khoruzhenko, Head of the School of Mathematical Sciences, said:
“I am delighted with the REF results, which confirm that our School is home to cutting-edge, internationally excellent research across a wide spectrum of mathematics. I would like to thank all our academics for their contribution and our school professional team for excellent support for our activities. I am pleased that these results recognise the quality of our research and the strength of our research culture.“