REF 2029: Code of Practice

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The University of Warwick’s REF 2029 Code of Practice sets out the principles and processes that ensure its REF submission is fair, transparent, robust, and inclusive. It outlines how the University identifies staff with Significant Responsibility for Research, determines Research Independence, allocates eligible contracts to Units of Assessment, and selects research outputs. These processes are grounded in clear governance structures, open communication, and alignment with institutional commitments to equality, diversity and inclusion. The Code also reflects progress since REF 2021, including advances in research culture, workload allocation, and researcher development.

As a formal requirement for REF 2029, the Code defines the minimum standards the University must meet, ensuring decisions are applied consistently and without structural bias. Equality Impact Assessments are embedded throughout to support equitable treatment across all staff groups. Together, these measures provide a clear and accountable framework for preparing Warwick’s submission and ensuring it reflects the full breadth and quality of the University’s research activity.

REF 2029: University of Warwick Code of Practice

The University of Warwick's Code of Practice has been approved by Research England. A copy of the approved Code of Practice is available below.

REF 2029: University of Warwick's Code of Practice

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Summary of Part 2: Identifying Staff with Significant Responsibility for Research

Part 2 sets out how Warwick identifies staff contracts that carry Significant Responsibility for Research. Warwick states that all staff on Teaching and Research contracts are expected to meet Significant Responsibility for Research criteria.

The criteria are drawn from REF 2029 guidance and include:

Explicit time and resources for research (e.g., workload allocations)
Expectation to conduct independent research
Job descriptions and objectives indicating research responsibilities

The section also explains the volume measure, how Significant Responsibility for Research affects eligibility, and how contract types (Research‑only and Teaching and Research) contribute to institutional FTE calculations.

Summary Part 3: Determining Research Independence

Part 3 explains how Warwick determines which Research‑Only staff are independent researchers, as required by REF 2029. All Teaching and Research staff are typically automatically considered independent. Research‑only staff must be assessed to determine independence.

Indicators of independence include:

Acting as Principal Investigator on an externally funded project
Holding competitively awarded fellowships requiring independence
Leading a research group or major work package
May include significant involvement in project design and interpretation.

It outlines a multi‑stage process to determine researcher independence involving the Unit of Assessment Management Teams, REF Planning, REF Submissions Steering Group, and final approval by the REF Executive Group.

Within this section we also detail communication with staff, the appeal process, and set out institutional governance.

Summary of Part 4: Allocating Contracts to Units of Assessment

Part 4 outlines how Warwick assigns eligible staff contracts to Units of Assessment based on staff members’ primary academic or research responsibilities. Allocations must be justified, documented, and auditable whilst noting that HESA cost centres may not always align with the appropriate Unit of Assessment.

The process includes:

Identification of eligible contracts
Initial Unit of Assessment recommendations
Review and consistency checks
Final approval

Summary of Part 5: Selecting Outputs

Part 5 outlines the key principles and procedures for the University’s approach to selecting research outputs for REF 2029, making clear that the overriding criterions is the intrinsic quality of the research output.

Units of Assessment must submit a number of outputs equal to 2.5x their volume measure, rounded to the nearest whole number.

Key processes within the section, and as required by REF 2029, include:

Establishing a substantive link between researcher and institution
Checking eligible employment relationships
Rules for outputs from former staff
Processes for interdisciplinary outputs and outputs submitted to multiple Units of Assessment

The section also sets out procedures to support diverse output types, including practice-based, digital, and multilingual research. Finally, it explains how submissions will ensure outputs are representative of the research conducted during the REF period, aligned with responsible research assessment principles and free from structural bias.