REF 2021 in Life Sciences
For the second successive REF we are the top University in the UK for Biological Sciences (Times Higher Education).
For the second successive REF we are the top University in the UK for Biological Sciences (Times Higher Education). A total of 71% of our activities being assessed as ‘world leading’ and 28% as ‘internationally excellent’. For the Environment section, which assesses all the activities we provide to support our research, we were assessed as having 100% world leading activity.
Professor Julian Blow, Dean of School
What is the Research Excellent Framework (REF)?
The Research Excellence Framework (REF) is the main assessment of research across the higher education sector in the UK, and is vitally important in determining both future research funding and our global reputation. The REF process assesses each of our discipline areas in terms of its quality, and is carried out once every six-to-seven years. Submissions include research outputs, examples of the wider benefits of research, and evidence about the research environment.
For the second successive REF we are the top University in the UK for Biological Sciences (Times Higher Education). A total of 71% of our activities being assessed as ‘world leading’ and 28% as ‘internationally excellent’. For the Environment section, which assesses all the activities we provide to support our research, we were assessed as having 100% world leading activity.
Research impact case studies account for 25% of the REF assessment and describe the practical benefits that result from our research. Read summary articles of our case studies:

Further information explaining the Research Excellence Framework and to explore the University of Dundee REF 2021 submission
The REF 2021 outcomes can be viewed in full on the REF 2021 website.
The last REF took place in 2014 and the University of Dundee results can be found on the REF 2014 website.
Professor Claire Halpin, Associate Dean, Research