Research Excellence Framework 2021

Our performance in REF 2021

The Research Excellence Framework 2021 (REF 2021) is the national assessment of research quality and impact at UK universities. Universities are assessed across 34 subject-based units of assessments (UOAs) for research outputs, research impact and research environment. Essex submitted to 17 UOAs - three more than the previous REF. A panel of experts assess the originality, significance and rigour of research activity and judges the proportion which is 4* world-leading, 3* internationally excellent, 2* recognised internationally and 1* recognised nationally.

Our performance in specific areas of assessment shows Essex's strengths as a centre of research excellence.

Essex is ranked 1st for research impact in modern languages and linguistics, 1st for research environment in sociology and 2nd for research output in politics and international studies.

83% of our research output is world-leading or internationally excellent and three subjects were in the top 10 in the UK for research output.

100% of our research impact is world-leading or internationally excellent for 10 subjects and four subjects were in the top 10 for research impact.

100% of our research environment is world-leading or internationally excellent in seven subjects.

Three subjects are in the UK top 10 for research outputs – economics and econometrics, politics and international studies, and art history.

Four subjects are in the UK top 10 for research impact – computer science, sociology, modern languages and linguistics, and philosophy.

Four subjects are in the UK top 10 for research environment – economics, politics and international studies, sociology, and modern languages and linguistics.

Research Power

Times Higher Education has published a research power measure for each subject area which accounts for the number of active researchers entered when looking at research strengths.

Essex is ranked in the top 10 in five subject areas for research power.

These are:

• Sociology - 2nd in UK
• Law - 3rd in UK
• Economics and econometrics - 4th in UK
• Politics and international studies - 6th in UK
• Computer science - 6th in UK

Other subjects ranked in the top 30 for research power are: 

• Philosophy - 19th
• Business and management - 20th
• Sport and exercise sciences - 23rd
• Biological Sciences - 26th
• Public health - 26th

Research quality and research power

Social Sciences

Humanities

Science and Health