REF 2021

Lancaster University’s REF 2021 results confirm our position as delivering world-quality research.

Three people work in an Engineering Laboratory.

New evidence highlights outstanding quality of Lancaster research.

91% of Lancaster's research has been independently rated as 'internationally excellent' or 'world leading' with 46% rated in the highest category of 4*.

The 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF) assesses the quality and impact of research in UK universities across all subjects.

Lancaster is 21st overall out of 157 institutions ranked by Times Higher Education. This places Lancaster above eight Russell Group universities for research quality.

The results combine with Lancaster's strengths in teaching and investment in the student experience to reflect our distinctive university community, able to excel in teaching and research.

Lancaster's research environment

REF 2021 rated 99% of Lancaster's overall research environment as 4* 'world leading' or 3* 'internationally excellent'.

This includes support and training of research students, research integrity, equality and diversity, as well as facilities available to support research.

Lancaster’s REF 2021 results confirm our position as delivering world-quality research at the same time as a best-in-class student experience. We have sustained our excellence in research as we have grown in scale with more than 50% more staff submitted than in 2014. We have doubled our grant capture over that time too. Our excellence is revealed right across the disciplinary mix and enables us to create impact as we bring research communities together to deliver answers to complex problems.

A quote from Professor Andy Schofield Vice-Chancellor

Key successes

Some important areas of Lancaster’s research are ranked particularly highly.

School of Mathematical Sciences

100% of research impact judged to be 'outstanding', 100% of research ranked as 'world-leading' or internationally excellent, and 7th overall in Times Higher Education.

Linguistics

100% of research impact rated 'outstanding' and 100% of research environment rated 'world-leading'.

Lancaster University Management School

100% of research environment rated 'world-leading' and rated no 1 business school in UK for 'research power'.

Faculty of Health and Medicine

100% of research environment rated 'world-leading' and 91% of research rated 'world-leading' or 'internationally excellent'.

Educational Research

100% of research impact rated 'outstanding' and 90% of research rated 'world-leading' or 'internationally excellent'.

Lancaster Environment Centre

Ranked 5th in the UK for 'research power' with 96% of research rated 'world-leading' or 'internationally excellent' and 83% of research impact rated 'outstanding'.

This is Lancaster: A global research community changing lives

We're proud of our research and the difference it makes locally and around the world. We'd like to introduce you to the fascinating and diverse work we do here, and the incredible people who make it all possible.

About REF 2021

REF 2021 provides a 'census' assessment for the period 2014-2020 of the quality of universities' research in all disciplines, providing accountability for public investment in research.

In total, 157 UK universities participated, submitting over 76,000 academic staff. Submissions included research outputs, examples of the wider benefits of research and evidence about the research environment. This material was assessed by a series of expert panels comprising UK and international researchers, external users of research and experts in interdisciplinary research.

REF 2021 logo

Lancaster University research

Stories from Lancaster's researchers around the world:

Doctor in white coat with hands out - suspended above the hands are a pair of old-style brass weighing scale pans

Call for new governance framework for stem cell-based embryo models

A Nuffield Council on Bioethics working group, including Lancaster University Distinguished Professor of Bioethics Stephen Wilkinson, calls for a new governance framework for stem cell-based embryo models, one that that encourages innovation whilst upholding ethical standards and ensuring public benefit. 
The Spanish Ambassador, Mr José Pascual Marco Martínez (left), with the Dean of Lancaster University’s Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Professor Edward Simpson (right), and The School of Global Affairs Head of Department, Dr Derek Hird (centre left), and the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Director of Internationalisation Professor Christopher Macleod.

University provides warm welcome for UK’s Spanish Ambassador

The UK’s Spanish Ambassador was on campus at Lancaster University this week to further engagement across education and research with Spain.
Hand gripping megaphone wrapped in barbed wire

Study exposes global ‘blind spot’ in human rights protections for dissidents

Intensifying coercive tactics used by repressive states to silence critics abroad requires the set-up of specialist transnational rights protection offices, says a new paper by researchers at Lancaster University and Central European University in Vienna.

United Kingdom’s Carrier Strike Group, led by HMS Queen Elizabeth, during its deployment to the Asia-Pacific in 2001 Image shows nine ships sailing on the sea

Public forum will examine approach to future relations with China

Relationships between the UK, EU, US and China will be up for discussion at a public forum in Lancaster later this month.
Solar panels on house

Lancaster researchers part of new centre on equitable low carbon living

Lancaster University researchers are set to work as part of an innovative centre funded with £8million over five years by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and UKRI as part of its strategic focus on building a green future.

Limestone pavement in the Yorkshire Dales

New study reveals half a century of change on Britain’s iconic limestone pavements

Fifty years of change on iconic limestone pavements has revealed mixed fortunes for one of the most distinctive landscapes in the UK.

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