Research Excellence Framework

The Research Excellence Framework (REF) assesses the quality and impact of research submitted by UK universities across all disciplines. The last assessment was conducted in 2014.

The Smart and Functional Materials Group contributed to the REF 2014 submission of The Open University in sub-panel UoA13: Electrical & Electronic Engineering, Metallurgy & Materials. 18 FTE academics provided 64 outputs in the themes of Atomic, Molecular and Materials Engineering.

The results of the REF show that 85% of our research activity, and 90.6 % of our outputs, are considered of internationally excellent or world-leading quality, placing the UoA13 Research at The Open University top half of the institutions within REF.

REF 2014 UoA13 results for The Open University

  % of the submission meeting the standard for:
  4* 3* 2* 1* U/C
Overall quality 8 77 15 0 0
Outputs 12.5 78.1 9.4 0.0 0.0
Impact 0.0 86.7 13.3 0.0 0.0
Environment 0.0 60.0 40.0 0.0 0.0

Meet our Academics

Head and shoulders of male OU academic

In addition to teaching on Open University modules our academics are engaged in ground breaking research that benefits individuals and society.

Request your prospectus

Request a prospectus icon

Explore our qualifications and courses by requesting one of our prospectuses today.

Request prospectus

Are you already an OU student?

Upcoming Events

No events