REF FAQs

Research Excellence Framework 2029 FAQs

This page shares the answers to some commonly asked questions about impact in REF2029. It will be updated when the Panel Working Methods and Criteria is published:

Can my case study go into a different Unit of Assessment to my research? What is meant by 'Underpinned by'? Can the same project be submitted more than once to different Units of Assessment or by other institutions?

Yes, it is possible for the same impact case study to be submitted to all Units of Assessment (UOA) where the underpinning research is within the UOA’s remit. The underpinning research must have been conducted at Warwick by a member of staff during the research eligibility period (1st Jan 2008 to 31st December 2028). As for all impact case studies there needs to be a clear link from the research findings to the impact claims.

I submitted a case study to a previous REF. Can I submit the same project again in 2029?

Yes, although it may need to be marked as a Continued Case Study.

A Case Study is considered to be Continued if both:

a. the body of underpinning research is the same as described in the 2014 or 2021 case study. This should not be understood solely in relation to the referenced outputs, but means that the continued case study does not describe any new research having taken place since the previous case study that has made a distinct and material contribution to the impact; and

b. there is significant overlap in the impact described, so that the impact types and beneficiaries are broadly the same as described in the 2014 or 2021 case study.

A case study will be considered ‘New’ where additional underpinning research has taken place since that described in the previous case study, which has made a distinct and material contribution to the impact, and/or the impact types or beneficiaries have changed.

In all cases, new/continued impacts must have taken place in the relevant submission period.

Some of my research was done at another institution, how does this affect my case study?

The impact in your case study must be underpinned by research that was produced by the submitting unit, so impacts from research done at a previous institution cannot be included in a case study. You may be able to include research that was done at Warwick that builds on previous work, as long as the new research from Warwick made a distinct and material contribution to the impact such that the impact would not have occurred or would have been significantly reduced without the contribution of that research.

For further guidance, please contact your Impact Manager.

What qualifies as underpinning research?

Each impact case study must describe research findings that made a ‘distinct and material’ contribution to the impact claimed. To qualify, the research must have been conducted at Warwick by a member of staff during the relevant research eligibility period (1st January 2008 – 31st December 2028) within the scope of the relevant UOA descriptor.

The REF definition of research is a process of investigation leading to new insights that are effectively shared.

Case studies will still need to demonstrate this research was conducted at Warwick. Case studies may be underpinned by research findings from a body of work produced over a number of years on a relevant topic, or the outcomes of a particular project.

The underpinning research remit determines which UOA(s) the ICS can be submitted to, not the school or department of the ICS lead.

Can PhD research be used to underpin an impact case study? I am not on a research contract; can my research still be used to underpin a case study?

Yes. Research undertaken by staff who are not on a research contract was eligible to underpin a case study, as long as the research has been undertaken at Warwick. This could include teaching staff or research that was done by someone employed at another organisation (except another HEI) but whose research was done through Warwick; for example, an NHS staff member whose role includes research, and who conducted this research through Warwick.

If my research has had an impact on other researchers or teaching, is that eligible to be included in a case study?

For the purposes of REF, impact is only eligible for inclusion if it is impact beyond academia. Impact on an academic discipline is therefore ineligible to be included.

The guidance includes impacts on students and teaching within and beyond the submitting institution, although impact on the researcher’s own institution would not normally be expected to form the basis of a full case study.

If you are considering including impact on university-level teaching in your case study, you should think carefully about what both the reach and significance of these claims are.

Impacts on teaching in schools are also eligible for inclusion in a case study.

What arrangements are there for dealing with confidential information in case studies?

It is possible to request that case studies are not published on the public database, or to request that sections of the case study are redacted for publication. Impact evidence submitted alongside the case study is not published.

There will be a process in place for managing conflicts of interest for REF panel members.

If there are any national security concerns relating to the information in your case study, there will be arrangements in place for requesting a review by individuals with appropriate security clearance. This includes requesting advance permission from REF to submit the case study. If this is relevant to your case study, please raise this with your Impact Manager.

Where should I store my impact evidence? The new REF2029 guidance refers to ‘Engagement and Impact’. How will engagement be incorporated into the impact assessment?

Research England has said there would not be changes to impact case study criteria therefore, we are not anticipating a move away from the requirement to provide independent evidence of the reach and significance of the impact claimed in Impact case studies.

However, engagement remains a valuable pathway to impact, and could be included in this context.

We will continue to update this answer as further guidance is received.

Still have a question? Take a look at the REF guidance summary page or contact the Research Impact team at