The REF is an exercise in fantasy accountancy and management Long-standing debates about what ‘research quality’ means make it obvious that the REF can be little more than make-believe, says Martyn Hammersley By Martyn Hammersley 16 May
The UK has international students to thank for its high REF scores The extent of research‘s cross-subsidisation by overseas student fees is too rarely understood by policymakers and academics alike, says Ruth Arnold By Ruth Arnold 15 May
Norway fires research council board amid overspending claims Research minister shocks sector with purge at top of supposedly profligate funder By Ben Upton 13 May
The REF does not disadvantage practice-based subjects There is no evidence in art and design that the REF drives a wedge between research and students' interests, says Victoria Kelley By Victoria Kelley 13 May
Universities clash with regulator on ‘baked in’ grade inflation Six in 10 firsts awarded in England last year would get lower classification under historic marking standards, claims Office for Students By Chris Havergal 12 May
REF 2021: Leaders say increased impact weighting ‘justified’ REF supremo David Sweeney and Manchester research lead Colette Fagan hit back at criticisms of measuring societal and economic contributions By Jack Grove 12 May
REF 2021: subject rankings Main panel C records biggest increase in number of submissions and participating staff By Chris Havergal 12 May
REF 2021: Quality ratings hit new high in expanded assessment Four in five outputs judged to be either ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’ By Jack Grove 12 May
REF 2021: Golden triangle looks set to lose funding share Although major players still dominate on research power, some large – and small – regional institutions have made their mark By Simon Baker 12 May
REF 2021: More staff, more excellent research, great impacts The latest iteration of the UK’s national research audit has fulfilled its aim to identify research quality across the whole system, says David Sweeney By David Sweeney 12 May
REF 2021: Increased impact weighting helps push up scores Greater weighting helps medical institutions in particular improve overall positions By Tom Williams 12 May
UCU set for showdown over transgender rights stance Members asked to back motion opposing ‘gender critics’ and ‘transphobes’ By Tom Williams 11 May