91% of University of East Anglia research deemed 'world leading'
The Norfolk university was highly commended for producing research that has a real-world impact
Last updated 12th May 2022
The University of East Anglia has been praised for the quality of its research as part of a national review into the work being produced in higher education across the UK.
The Research Excellence Framework (REF) is carried out every few years.
It involves UK universities submitting some of their best work to be assessed for its 'real world' impact.
It is intended to make sure public money put towards research projects at UK unis is well spent and is producing benefits for the wider public.
At the UEA 91% of research was deemed 'world leading' or internationally excellent'.
47% of research projects at the uni were given the top 4* rating by the REF, ahead of a national target of 41%.
UEA Vice-Chancellor Prof David Richardson said: “As the sixth-most highly cited University in the UK according to Times Higher Education, UEA has always had a strong reputation as a research-intensive institution.
"But more than that – our research matters because it has real-world impact, drives change and improves lives.
“These REF results are confirmation of that, and I am exceptionally proud to be able to say that UEA’s research is actively making a positive difference, demonstrating a huge return on public investment in research and helping to give Norwich and East Anglia a place on the world stage.”
The results for REF 2021 will be used to decide on how to allocate £2bn of research funding.
The UEA's rating puts the institution in a good position to win more funding for projects later in the year.