Manchester University Vice-Chancellor Advocates for REF Overhaul
In a thought-provoking statement, Duncan Ivison, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Manchester, has called for a serious reconsideration of the Research Excellence Framework (REF). He questions the framework's usefulness, citing its bureaucratic nature and the potential for more efficient alternatives. The REF, a significant research assessment exercise in the UK, distributes approximately £2 billion in quality-related funding annually.
Ivison's stance is particularly notable given his position as a leader at a Russell Group university. He suggests that the REF's assessment methods could be re-evaluated, especially in light of the Australian experience. Australia's equivalent program was scrapped after a 2020 review, during which Ivison served as deputy vice-chancellor for research at the University of Sydney. He highlights the difference in context, noting that Australia's program lacked direct funding, making the stakes lower.
The Vice-Chancellor expresses concerns about the REF's impact on quality-related research funding (QR). He acknowledges the importance of QR but questions whether the REF is the sole means of validating research quality effectively. Ivison believes that a thorough examination of the REF is warranted, despite being an outlier in the sector on this issue.
One potential solution, according to Ivison, lies in technology. Research from the University of Bristol suggests that artificial intelligence tools are being used by many universities to prepare REF submissions. He proposes a vision of a less bureaucratic and more technology-enabled REF, emphasizing the need for confidence in AI's ability to provide nuanced assessments in areas like the humanities and creative arts.
The full interview with Duncan Ivison will be published on February 11th by Research Professional News, offering further insights into this controversial topic.
