World-leading results put University of the Highlands and Islands firmly on the university research map

Over 69% of the University of the Highlands and Islands research has been classified as “world leading” or “internationally excellent” in a new expert review undertaken to assess the quality of research in UK higher education institutions.

Research in health, environment, marine science, history and archaeology, Gaelic and Nordic Studies were all recognised by the Research Excellence Framework published today (Thursday 18 December).

Principal and vice-chancellor, Professor Clive Mulholland said: “We should be very proud of our results. We have achieved and exceeded our expectations and our staff and communities across the Highlands and Islands should also be very proud of their university.

“This is particularly important for us as a young university and shows we can hold our own in a very competitive research environment.

“It also reinforces that where we draw our inspiration from the natural environment, culture, industries and social infrastructure of our region, we can demonstrate research outputs which have national and international significance and impact.”

Ratings awarded in the Research Excellence Framework will inform funding to be announced in spring 2015. In addition, the new framework aims to provide accountability for public funding of research and demonstrate its benefits, in addition to providing benchmarks and reputational yardsticks.

“The result shows strong evidence of developing research capacity across a broad range of subjects in the university,” said Professor Ian Bryden, vice-principal (research). “Now we have firmly established a presence in the Scottish university standings, outperforming many of the newer universities and snapping at the heels of the ancients. This is exactly how a university should underpin current and future economic activity in the Highlands and Islands, making a real difference to the environment, to the business community and to people’s lives.”

Notes for editors:
The university submitted research for assessment in five areas:
Panel A – medical sciences and related
Unit 3, allied health professions, dentistry, nursing and pharmacy
Panel B – science and engineering
Unit 7, earth systems and environmental sciences
Panel C – social sciences and law
Unit 17, geography, environmental studies and archaeology
Panel D – arts and humanities
Unit 27, area studies
Unit 28, language and linguistics
Unit 30, history

Results can be viewed at www.ref.ac.uk