In the latest national Research Assessment Exercise (RAE 2008) the Department of Statistics had a quarter of its research activity assessed at the very highest quality level (level 4*, "Quality that is world-leading in terms of originality, significance and rigour").

Among the top 5 ranked Statistics research groups, the Department of Statistics was one of the two largest. 

Highlights of the 2008 assessment are:

• 25% of research activity in Statistics at Warwick is "world leading"
• 70% of research activity is "internationally excellent" or better
• 100% of research activity exceeds the "recognised internationally" quality threshold
• exceptionally high volumes of "internationally excellent" and "world leading" research activity (second highest in UK)

The substantial growth of Statistics at Warwick since the the previous research assessment (RAE 2001), from 10 research-active members to 25, has thus been achieved without compromising the Department's very high standing in research quality. (In the 2001 assessment Warwick was one of just six Statistics groups to be awarded the highest possible quality rating.)  The Department continues to grow: six new members have been appointed to the permanent academic staff since the census date (in 2007) for RAE 2008.

Among the 25 Warwick Statistics staff assessed in the 2008 RAE, seven were in the "Early Career Researcher" category — a fact which augurs well for the Department's future.  

The Chair of Statistics commented:
"We are delighted with our performance in the latest Research Assessment. We are particularly pleased that our research success is combined with the continued excellence of our degree programmes. The continuing success of our degrees shows how helpful it is to have active researchers delivering high-quality teaching".