The results from the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF) have highlighted the global standing and impact of Cambridge’s research in the field of Engineering.
The REF is the UK’s system for assessing the quality of research in UK higher education institutions. Each eligible researcher in Cambridge across all academic disciplines was assigned to one of 30 units of assessment (subject areas). Each unit was judged by three criteria – outputs (such as publications, performances and exhibitions), their impact, and the environment that supports research. This is the second time the REF has taken place – the first was in 2014. For our REF 2021 submission to the General Engineering Panel, we teamed up with two other Cambridge departments: Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology; and Materials Science and Metallurgy.
Our General Engineering submission achieved a perfect score, as we did in REF 2014, for our world-leading environment, which supports both research and impact. We also boosted the overall percentage of activity rated “world-leading” or “internationally excellent” from 95% to 99% – the highest score for any University submission to the General Engineering Panel. And our impact assessment leapt forward from 68.5% world-leading to 81.8%. This outcome represented the work of 255 academics (full-time equivalents) over the period since REF 2014.
Professor Richard Prager, Head of the Department of Engineering, said: “We have worked hard to improve on our strong performance in REF 2014, building on our strong academic foundation to drive greater impact in society.”
Professor Anne Ferguson-Smith, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research, added: “I would like to congratulate and thank everyone who has taken part in this year’s REF for all their hard work, which has led to this outstanding result. This is our most inclusive submission yet, and we have seen strong performances across the board.
“What we see today is not just the excellence of Cambridge research, but also the reach and significance of its impact, with researchers across many disciplines bringing a fresh perspective on how we tackle major problems facing our world today.”
Examples of research impact included:
- Pioneering work on inclusive design, which has transformed product design and marketing to reduce exclusion across many companies
- Breakthrough in turbine design at the Whittle Laboratory to save energy and reduce emissions
- Smart infrastructure to reduce costs and crunch schedules for construction work, while also boosting sustainability
- New roadmapping techniques for strategic technology and innovation management taken up across a wide spectrum of companies and charities.
Our global research
Cambridge research spans all seven continents, covering more than 100 countries, from the Arctic to Zambia. Our researchers partner with organisations in these countries to ensure that our collaborations address local needs and benefit those communities most in need.
