The Research Excellence Framework 2014 requires UK Higher Education Institutions to develop, document and apply an internal code of practice on the fair and transparent selection of staff for inclusion in REF submissions.

The Queen’s University Code of Practice has now been submitted to the REF team and we expect to receive feedback on whether our code meets REF requirements in October 2012. The Code sets out the process and principles to be followed by Queen’s University in selecting staff for inclusion. It includes information on individual staff circumstances and how these will be taken into account.

The Queen’s Code has been developed through a process of discussion and consultation with University Management Board, Senior Managers and representatives from the University and College Union. The University is committed to the promotion of equality of opportunity and to creating and sustaining an environment that values the diversity of its staff. The University aims to submit the work of all eligible staff demonstrating research excellence to REF2014. Should you have comments on any potential equality implications of the Code, please contact Paul Browne, Equal Opportunities Manager (p.browne@qub.ac.uk).

Individual staff circumstances

The REF2014 assessment framework allows individuals to be returned with fewer than four outputs without penalty in the assessment, where their individual circumstances have significantly constrained their ability to produce four outputs or to work productively throughout the assessment period. Eligible staff members will be required to disclose their individual staff circumstances via the disclosure form, should they wish these to be taken into consideration for the purposes of the REF. The University strongly encourages all staff eligible for REF submission to complete the form, even if they have no individual circumstances that they wish to be taken into consideration. Further details on the confidential disclosure process can be found in the Code itself. 

Please download and complete the individual staff circumstances disclosure form, returning it signed and in hard copy to the REF Manager, Research and Enterprise, 63 University Road.

If you require any of the documents in an alternative format or language, please contact the REF Manager (REF2014@qub.ac.uk).