23.04.08
1994 Group welcomes extra time for research excellence planning
The 1994 Group of research-intensive universities has welcomed the announcement by John Denham, Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills, of a 12-month delay in the implementation and development of the Research Excellence Framework.
Mr Denham said the extra time would allow for development of a more flexible approach.
Professor Steve Smith, chair of the 1994 Group of research-intensive universities, said: “The decision to delay implementation of the research excellence framework is a sensible one in the light of concerns raised by the 1994 Group and others.
"It responds to a number of points made by the Group in its response to the consultation exercise earlier this year, particularly our concerns over the impact of metrics in certain specific areas, and the distortions within institutions if the phasing for STEM subjects and the arts and social sciences is wildly out of synchronicity."
"We hope that the time gained by the delay will be used to ensure that the introduction of metrics informs – and does not replace – peer review. "Professor Smith is Vice-Chancellor of the University of Exeter.
Notes for Editors
- The 1994 Group was established in 1994 to promote excellence in research and teaching. It brings together nineteen internationally renowned, research-intensive universities.
- The Group’s members are small- to medium-sized institutions, and are generally campus-based. They operate on a human and personal scale, maximising student-staff contact and ensuring an adaptable and inter-disciplinary approach to both research and teaching. Research-led teaching is key to the 1994 Group’s mission, and a large majority of the top academics who achieved the Group’s outstanding results in the 2001 Research Assessment Exercise teach students.
- The STEM subjects are science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Contact:
David Jobbins
Head of Education Unit
Candlestar Ltd
david.jobbins@candlestar.co.uk
07770 452 047