The Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2029 may still feel a few years away, but the changes on the horizon are too significant to ignore.
One of the most transformative updates in this cycle is the introduction of People, Culture & Environment (PCE) as a major component, now accounting for 25% of the total REF weighting. That’s potentially £500 million in funding tied to how your institution supports people, builds inclusive cultures, and fosters sustainable environments for research.
At the Centre of Behavioural Equality, we’ve been closely tracking this shift and hearing from our HEI network on how it’s impacting them. It’s a complete rethink of what research excellence looks like. The REF is no longer simply interested in what you produce; it’s now just as focused on how you produce it, who contributes, and what kind of environment makes that possible.
So, how can universities get ahead? The answer lies in strategic alignment and cultural transformation. And that’s where FIELDS comes in.
What Is PCE, and why does it matter?
The REF 2029 PCE framework is built around three core areas:
- People – Supporting diverse, sustainable careers and thriving research teams.
- Culture – Creating inclusive, collaborative, and respectful research environments.
- Environment – Demonstrating long-term investment and strategy in research infrastructure and support.
This represents a seismic shift from outcome-focused evaluation to a more holistic understanding of what drives quality research. For many Units of Assessment (UoAs), this will require entirely new ways of thinking, planning, and working.
The five pillars of PCE excellence
The REF guidance, and the pilot programmes currently underway, have revealed five key areas where institutions need to demonstrate progress:
- Strategy – Developing a clear, future-focused plan that embeds PCE at every level.
- Responsibility – Assigning ownership and accountability to ensure actions aren’t isolated or tokenistic.
- Inclusivity – Creating cultures where all voices are heard, valued, and empowered to contribute.
- Development – Investing in career growth and capacity building to foster long-term excellence.
- Connectivity – Breaking down silos to encourage collaboration across disciplines, departments, and stakeholders.
It’s no longer enough to have a few strong statements in your submission. Evidence of embedded practice, co-produced strategies, and inclusive leadership will be expected across the board.
Learning from the pilot: What the early movers are doing right
The REF PCE Pilot, which involves 40 institutions including a mix of Russell Group and post-92 universities, is already providing valuable insights. These early adopters are pioneering new methods of evidence collection, developing inclusive strategies across diverse UoAs, and piloting more robust governance models.
Three takeaways stand out:
- Start early. Institutions already preparing are in a far stronger position than those waiting for final REF guidance.
- Think beyond compliance. The strongest strategies align PCE with broader institutional goals.
- Embed it deeply. Surface-level activity won’t meet the mark—lasting impact comes from deep cultural change.
Enter FIELDS: A strategic response to the PCE challenge
To help universities meet this moment, we’ve developed FIELDS: the Fairness, Inclusion & Equity Leadership Development System. FIELDS is a leadership and strategy development course built specifically for the REF 2029 landscape.
Over 16 weeks, FIELDS equips leaders and UoA coordinators to:
- Build bespoke people-centric strategies aligned with institutional values, goals, existing strategies and REF requirements
- Develop accountability structures that ensure delivery and sustainability
- Apply the empirically validated FIE (Fairness, Inclusion and Equality) model to create inclusive environments
- Simplify data collection and evidence generation using tailored tools and frameworks
- Create a culture that not only prepares for REF – but thrives beyond it
Whether you’re on the pilot or not, your university could take the lead
REF 2029 is a measure of your institution’s values, culture, and long-term strategy. Institutions that succeed won’t be those with the most polished last-minute submissions. They’ll be the ones that started early, invested in people, and built inclusive systems from the ground up.
If your university is serious about exceeding in REF 2029 – and transforming the organisation for their people way beyond REF 2029 – then FIELDS is the methodology that you need.
📩 To learn more, drop your details here to arrange an informal chat.
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