REF 2029 Update: Response to Paused Reforms in UK Research Assessment

The REF 2029 Pause and Resumption: A Pragmatic Pivot

The Research Excellence Framework (REF), the United Kingdom's flagship system for evaluating university research quality, has undergone significant adjustments following a three-month pause announced in September 2025. 40 28 Triggered by concerns over proposed reforms—particularly the ambitious 25% weighting for People, Culture, and Environment (PCE)—Science Minister Lord Patrick Vallance halted progress to allow for a thorough review. This decision came amid sector feedback highlighting potential burdens and misalignments with core goals of fostering excellence. 39 On December 10, 2025, the four UK higher education funding bodies (led by Research England) announced the resumption, unveiling refined policies that balance innovation with practicality. These updates aim to streamline submissions, emphasize high-quality outputs, and maintain accountability for the approximately £2 billion in annual research funding distributed based on REF results.

This response to the paused reforms reflects extensive consultations with universities, researchers, and expert panels, ensuring REF 2029 aligns with government ambitions for world-class research across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. While restoring some familiar elements from REF 2021, the changes introduce nuances that will shape how UK universities prepare for submissions expected around 2028. 42

Understanding the Research Excellence Framework

The REF, conducted roughly every seven years, assesses the quality of research in UK higher education institutions (HEIs). First introduced as the Research Assessment Exercise in 1986, it evolved into REF in 2014. REF 2021 evaluated outputs (60%), impact (25%), and environment (15%), informing Quality-Related Research (QR) funding. For context, REF results influence not just funding but also institutional prestige, recruitment, and strategic planning in universities and colleges nationwide. 41

REF 2029 was initially designed to evolve this model, responding to critiques of REF 2021's high burden—estimated at £366 million sector-wide. Proposals included decoupling outputs from individuals to promote team-based assessment, expanding impact to include engagement, and elevating PCE to 25% to prioritize research culture. However, these ambitions prompted the pause, leading to recalibrations that prioritize clarity and reduced workload while retaining a commitment to holistic evaluation. 40

Why the Pause Happened and What It Achieved

The pause stemmed from sector-wide concerns that PCE's 25% weighting—assessed via new indicators like staff surveys and EDI data—could introduce excessive bureaucracy and dilute focus on research excellence. Critics, including vice-chancellors and researchers, argued it risked rewarding institutions with more resources rather than pure quality, echoing US debates on diversity metrics. 39 Lord Vallance emphasized restoring public trust by prioritizing "world-class" outputs.

During the hiatus, Research England commissioned pilots, stakeholder engagements, and reviews. The PCE Pilot report, published alongside the resumption, confirmed PCE's feasibility but highlighted simplification needs. Results informed weightings and evidence requirements, ensuring SPRE (the rebranded PCE) uses existing data sources like HESA without new collections. This pragmatic reset has been praised for listening to the sector, though some lament lost opportunities to embed culture more deeply. 38 42

Revised Weightings: Outputs Take Center Stage

The most headline-grabbing shift is the new assessment profile: Contributions to Knowledge and Understanding (CKU, primarily outputs) at 55%, Engagement and Impact (E&I) steady at 25%, and Strategy, People, and Research Environment (SPRE) reduced to 20%. This elevates traditional scholarly outputs while maintaining incentives for real-world application and supportive ecosystems. 40

CKU's rise addresses calls to foreground excellence, with panels assessing outputs for originality, significance, and rigor. E&I continues REF 2021-style case studies, now with fewer requirements for small units. SPRE's 20%—split 60% institution-level strategy and 40% unit-level—focuses on narratives backed by metrics like career progression and open research practices, drawing from pilot insights.

Outputs Overhaul: Back to Five with Flexibility

Post-pause, CKU reverts to a recommended maximum of five outputs per researcher, scrapping the initial unlimited pool. No minimum of one output per person removes individual pressure, with units averaging 2.5 outputs per full-time equivalent (FTE) researcher in 2025-27. Outputs remain decoupled via a "substantive link" policy—evidence of significant connection during development—but portability is limited for long-form works (e.g., books) up to five years. 39

This hybrid promotes disciplinary diversity and team contributions while curbing gaming. Universities must submit representative pools, justifying exceedances, and provide overview statements. Double-weighting for lengthy outputs persists, aiding humanities and social sciences.

Photo by ibuki Tsubo on Unsplash

SPRE: Evolving from PCE Pilots

SPRE replaces PCE, informed by an 18-month pilot involving 22 institutions. Institution-level statements (60% weight) outline strategies for talent development, collaborations, and resilience; unit-level (40%) detail local environments. Evidence draws from HESA EDI data, staff surveys, and qualitative indicators like reproducibility initiatives—no new data burdens. 41

This fosters open, inclusive cultures supporting excellence. Panels will use advisory groups for equity, with Code of Practice (CoP) templates updated for transparency in selection and appeals. Check academic CV tips for aligning with SPRE emphases on career support.

Engagement and Impact: Streamlined Continuity

E&I retains 25% weighting, assessing societal benefits via case studies (ICS). Key tweaks: smallest units need just one ICS; no 2* threshold for underpinning research; emphasis on engagement strategies and responsible metrics. Templates mirror REF 2021 for familiarity, minus unit statements now in SPRE. 40

This encourages proactive public engagement, vital for funding justification. Diverse contributors and interdisciplinary impacts are highlighted.

Portability, Open Access, and Practical Tweaks

Portability applies selectively to long-form outputs, balancing mobility with institutional investment. Open Access policy tightens: post-August 2026 outputs face shorter embargoes (e.g., immediate deposit for discovery), with CC-BY licensing encouraged. 41 CoP submission windows extended; small units optionally exempt.

For deeper dives, explore the official REF 2029 guidance.

Sector Reactions: Relief Mixed with Caution

Universities UK hailed the "pragmatic approach," crediting funding bodies for listening. 38 Russell Group and GuildHE welcomed burden reductions; UKRIO noted integrity safeguards. Vice-chancellors like those at THE praised output focus for trust-building. Critiques persist: frequent pivots cost time/money; SPRE downgrade risks neglecting culture; non-portability may deter mobility, especially in arts. 39

Overall, positivity prevails, with calls for stable implementation.

Implications for UK Universities and Researchers

REF 2029 shifts emphasis to outputs (55%), benefiting high-performers but pressuring mid-tier unis to strategize SPRE. Institutions must audit HESA data, refine CoPs, and foster collaborations. Researchers gain flexibility—no output mandates—but face substantive link proofs. Early-career academics may benefit from SPRE's people focus. Explore research assistant roles amid preparations.

Funding (~£2bn QR) ties to results, influencing professor salaries and strategy.

Photo by Payson Wick on Unsplash

Preparing for REF 2029: Actionable Steps

• Audit outputs for substantive links and diversity.
• Develop SPRE narratives using pilots as blueprints.
• Train on CoP for equitable selection.
• Monitor panel criteria (early 2026).
• Leverage OA tools for compliance.

Institutions should form cross-unit groups; individuals track contributions. For career boosts, see postdoc advice.

Future Outlook: Stability and Evolution

With panels convening soon and guidance finalizing in 2026, REF 2029 promises reduced burden while upholding excellence. Long-term, it could harmonize with UKRI strategies, boosting innovation. Challenges like funding squeezes persist, but pragmatic reforms position UK research strongly globally. Stay informed via university jobs boards and professor ratings. For opportunities, visit higher ed jobs, career advice, and post a job.