As a research led university ranked in the top 10 in the UK we are constantly working to make our research stand out on the global stage by maximising the excellence, impact and contribution of each of our disciplines.

Over the last few months we have been discussing research with departments at the Research Excellence Group (REG) meetings.

These meetings brought together members of our academic departments, Research and Impact Services (R&IS) and Strategic Planning and Analytics (SPA) to discuss the support and assistance that can be delivered to help departments achieve their strategic objectives, address any gaps in output and identify any investment needs.

Professor Pam Thomas, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research) said,

The REG meetings this year were a truly positive and inspiring experience. We are rightly proud of the high quality research being conducted every day here at Warwick.

The opportunity to discuss the strength and depth of our research and impact carried out by our exceptional body of research staff was extremely valuable.

We were able have some useful authentic conversations which brought together the university’s academy and support services as a part of our collaborative approach to delivering research in partnership.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who took part as I realise the time and effort it takes to prepare for these discussions, which were highly collegiate conversations between our Departments, Research Centres and the Research Excellence Group which produced some fascinating academic debate."

Professor Stuart Croft, Vice-Chancellor said,

Warwick has a reputation for excellence and as a world-class institution we continue to strive for excellence, in all disciplines. We’re committed to doing this, ensuring that our research makes a distinctive, competitive impact on the world. The Research Excellence Group meetings are one of a number of ways we maintain this excellence, keeping the need to stimulate an interdisciplinary and collaborative culture at the heart of our work, driving forward both our world-leading research and research-led teaching."

Outcomes from the REG will contribute to our preparations for the Research Excellence Framework (REF) in 2021. The ranking exercise known as the 'REF' is run by the UK’s higher education funding bodies, to assess the quality of UK research and to inform the distribution of public funds for research.

The REG meetings have been about more than just the REF, they have informed our thinking about the next 12 months and we have already followed up with a number of departments to support their activity.

A key theme that emerged from across our departments was the need for additional support to assist with the identification and capture of detailed evidence for research impact. As a result a new cohort of nine Research Impact Co-ordinators will join Research and Impact Services in the new academic year, who will help our researchers to demonstrate the reach and significance of impact from their research within a broad social, political and environmental context.