12 May 2022

  • Welsh universities lead the UK for proportion of research whose impact is considered internationally excellent or world-leading
  • 89% of Welsh research received 3 (internationally excellent) or 4 stars (world-leading) for impact
  • Welsh performance improves across all areas for proportion of research considered 3 or 4 stars

In the latest UK-wide assessment of the quality of research, Welsh performance improved overall and across all areas for the proportion of research judged 3 and 4 stars.

Wales performed particularly well on impact with 89% of Welsh research considered internationally excellent or world-leading. This is higher than the UK proportion and, among the UK nations, is joint highest alongside Northern Ireland.  

The results indicate strong performance from Welsh universities across a broad range of subjects, including:

  • Allied Health Professions, Dentistry, Nursing and Pharmacy
  • Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience
  • Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences
  • Architecture, Built Environment and Planning
  • Archaeology
  • Education
  • Sport and Exercise Sciences, Leisure and Tourism
  • English Language and Literature
  • Communication, Cultural and Media Studies, Library and Information Management

Commenting on today’s results, Professor Elizabeth Treasure, Chair of Universities Wales, said:

“Wales’ universities carry out high-quality research across a range of subject areas – and today’s REF results show that this research is having an impact. Our universities have proven their ability to efficiently leverage the work they do and deliver tangible benefits to communities in Wales, the UK and across the world.

“Partnership and collaboration are at the heart of Wales’ research success. Programmes such as Global Wales will provide us with opportunities to build on these results, strengthening international partnerships to sustain a vibrant, internationally connected research sector that delivers for Wales now and in the future.”

Professor Paul Boyle, Chair of the Wales Innovation Network, said:

“Research and innovation make vital contributions to the economy and society, and our universities are central to this. I welcome the publication of today’s REF results which highlight the many diverse research strengths of our universities and the ways they benefit our society and economy.

“We established the Wales Innovation Network in part to capitalise on these diverse strengths. This will provide us with a valuable opportunity to build on this success, further grow the positive impact our research has, and deliver on our ambitions for research in Wales.

“Another key component of our future approach will be the ongoing support and development of early career researchers, so that we can secure the future of our research base and continue to deliver significant long-term benefits for economies and societies across Wales and beyond.”