The Annual Research Review is undertaken every year. The purpose of the exercise is to ensure continuous assessment and progress of REF outputs as well as an opportunity for colleagues to ensure that their information in the RIS is up-to-date and accurate. Colleagues are asked to provide information on research publications; research grant activity; evidence of esteem/recognition and other achievements; research impact; and knowledge exchange activities.
In addition, departments use the information as a means of keeping in detailed touch with what colleagues are doing and intending to do, and of gathering information that they might otherwise not have. The information can help not only with other elements of the REF, i.e. Impact Case Studies and the Environment Statements, but also with work allocation and incentives.