REF Consulation: Results Announced

HEFCE have announced the results of the REF consultation that took place over the winter. There's little change from their initial proposals, though HEFCE has recognised the concern that the sector has expressed over impact. It acknowledged the UCU petition challenging impact, but said that it was based on the Research Councils' understanding of impact (i.e. future impact rather than past). The use of citations will be left up to individual sub panels. Have a look at the HEFCE Press Release for more detail, or a summary in this RePro article.

Impact may cause Brain Drain?

According to the UCU, a third of academics they questioned said they'd consider leaving the UK if the government's impact proposals go ahead. Over two thirds of them did not support the proposals. More detail on their survey is available here.

Whilst we know impact is generally unpopular amongst academics, I think the UCU poll should be treated with a pinch of salt. UCU are, after all, the instigators of a 14,000 strong petition against impact, so they are not exactly an impartial actor in this. But interesting nonetheless.

Nobel Prize Winners Sign UCU Anti-Impact Petition

Nobel Prize winners Venki Ramakrishnan, Tim Hunt, Brian Josephson, John Walker, Richard Roberts and Harry Kroto have signed a UCU petition calling on the government to rethink its plans for assessing Impact as part of the REF. Over 3,000 others have also signed it, including Richard Dawkins and Robert Winston.

The UCU argues that 'the REF proposals are founded on a lack of understanding of how knowledge advances. It is often difficult to predict which research will create the greatest practical impact. History shows us that in many instances it is curiosity-driven research that has led to major scientific and cultural advances.'

The petition calls on 'the UK funding councils to withdraw the current REF proposals and to work with academics and researchers on creating a funding regime which supports and fosters basic research in our universities and colleges rather than discourages it.'

LSE Chief Attacks 'Miles Away' Academics

Sir Howard Davies, the new Director of the London School of Economics (LSE), has issued a warning about public debt, according to the Telegraph. 'Something dramatic has to happen to control spending,' he said, before pointing the finger at the current strike ballot currently being considered by the Universities and Colleges Union: 'You have the best minds in the country planning to go on strike for 8pc. People are miles away from understanding what is needed.'
Thanks to Gill for highlighting this.