Across the sector, many universities are currently in a holding pattern as we wait for further clarification from REF panels. The dilemma is familiar. Institutions want to wait for guidance before committing time and resources, but waiting too long risks leaving units scrambling to assemble evidence at the last minute.
The emerging REF framework suggests that units will again be required to submit narrative statements covering Strategy, People and Research Environment. While final guidance will shape the detail, we are not starting from a blank page. A growing body of research has analysed previous REF environment statements and identified patterns associated with higher-scoring submissions.
If units are aiming for four-star outcomes, several lessons from this research are worth considering now.
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Take our quick assessment to find out how ready your institute or unit is.
1. Strategy must extend beyond REF itself
High-scoring environment statements tend to describe a clear research strategy that reaches beyond the REF cycle. Rather than presenting activities undertaken solely for assessment, successful submissions articulate a longer-term research vision and explain how the unit is positioning itself within the wider discipline.
Importantly, these strategies are supported by concrete examples of implementation. Strong submissions demonstrate how strategic ambitions have translated into action through investment decisions, new initiatives, partnerships, or structural changes.
2. Context matters
Environment statements that were clearly contextualised within their disciplinary landscape tended to score more highly.
Panels appear to respond well to submissions that situate the unit’s strategy within the realities of the field. This may include explaining the disciplinary challenges being addressed, emerging research opportunities, or the particular institutional role the unit plays within the national or international research landscape.
In other words, panels are not simply assessing activity. They are assessing how well the strategy fits the discipline.
3. Evidence of value creation is critical
Analysis of REF submissions suggests that research funding and partnerships are among the strongest indicators associated with high-scoring environment statements.
Successful submissions demonstrate how a unit’s strategy is generating value through:
• competitive research funding
• collaborations and partnerships
• industry or public sector engagement
• interdisciplinary initiatives
Panels appear to look for evidence that the research environment is not only productive but also sustainable and outward-facing.
4. People strategies must be inclusive but balanced
Supporting early career researchers is clearly important, and strong submissions often highlight structured support for ECR development. However, the evidence suggests that statements focusing exclusively on ECR initiatives are less persuasive.
Higher-scoring submissions tend to present a coherent people strategy that addresses the whole research community, including career development, mentorship, leadership, and research culture.
Equality, diversity and inclusion are also important components of these narratives. Previous analysis of environmental statements suggests that EDI is most effective when embedded throughout the strategy rather than presented as a standalone section.
5. Narrative style matters
Interestingly, linguistic analysis of REF environment statements has found that clear, active writing styles are associated with stronger submissions. Statements that describe concrete achievements and actions tend to be more persuasive than those relying on passive or abstract language.
While content remains paramount, how that content is communicated clearly matters in panel evaluation.
Starting early matters
None of these insights requires final REF guidance in order to begin preparation. Units that begin reflecting on these themes now will be better placed to refine their submissions once panel criteria are confirmed.
In practice, this means starting to:
• review strategic narratives at the unit level
• identify evidence supporting strategy and research culture
• gather examples demonstrating how the strategy has been implemented
• consider how people and EDI initiatives are integrated into the research environment
Early preparation allows units to refine their narrative over time, rather than attempting to assemble evidence under pressure late in the REF cycle.
As the sector moves closer to the next assessment, building a strong evidence base and coherent strategic narrative will be critical to achieving the highest ratings.
If you’re looking to get ahead with your preparations for REF SPRE 2029, our Masterclass in REF SPRE Statement Success: A Design and Review Framework to Prepare 4* ULS and ILS SPRE Statements – is a great place to start with a half-day deep-dive on this area.
For support in your complete SPRE approach, our Fairness, Inclusion and Equity Leadership Development System (FIELDS) is a step-by-step methodology empowering leaders to create inclusive environment strategies. Aligning with the REF SPRE conditions, you’ll have a defined strategy and implementation plan to take your people and environment to, and beyond REF 2029 success.
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Read more on the state of REF SPRE preparations in our whitepaper:
REF 2029: Why most institutions are already at risk of 3★ in SPRE
References:
Inglis, M., Gadd, E. and Stokoe, E. (2024). What is a high quality research environment? Evidence from the UK Research Excellence Framework. Research Evaluation.
Mellors Bourne, R., Metcalfe, J. and Gill, A. (2017). Exploring Equality and Diversity using REF2014 Environment Statements. CRAC Report for HEFCE.
Thorpe, A., Craig, R., Tourish, D., Hadikin, G. and Batistic, S. (2018). Environment submissions in the UK’s Research Excellence Framework 2014. British Journal of Management.
