Oxford’s reputation as a thriving powerhouse for medical, health and life sciences research has been highlighted today with the publication of the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021, a UK-wide assessment of university research.
The results of the REF 2021 exercise demonstrate that the University of Oxford and Oxford Brookes University continue to deliver research that is internationally excellent and makes a difference to people’s lives across the globe, with the universities reporting particular strengths across:
- Allied health professions
- Biological sciences
- Clinical medicine
- Public health, health services and primary care
- Psychology, psychiatry and neuroscience
Across five units of assessment in medicine, health and life sciences, the University of Oxford and Oxford Brookes University submitted work from a combined total of 1,301 academics, with research judged to be ‘internationally excellent’ or ‘world-leading’ within each of the categories.
Together with Oxford’s NHS Trusts, both universities are integral to the delivery of Oxford Academic Health Partners’ vision of a city, and a region, that can rapidly address local and global health and care challenges through an integrated, fertile innovation ecosystem.
Commenting on the latest REF results, Professor Keith Channon, Oxford Academic Health Partners Director, said, “The REF 2021 results across both the University of Oxford and Oxford Brookes University reflect the value of partnerships within and across sectors and disciplines, enabling Oxford’s critical mass of expertise to continue to deliver impactful healthcare research in collaboration with NHS organisations. The vitality and sustainability of Oxford’s environment for healthcare research and innovation is not just an important asset for Oxford and the wider region, it benefits the world.”
Supporting Oxford’s academic and NHS partners to work together seamlessly through aligned processes and activities is a key mission for OAHP, which recently facilitated the expansion of the Oxford Joint Research Office to include Oxford Brookes University and Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust.
Now incorporating both universities and NHS organisations, the JRO plays a vital behind-the-scenes role in establishing and maintaining Oxford’s leadership in healthcare research, enabling the rapid development of vaccines, such as the Oxford/AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine, and helping to identify new treatments through ground-breaking trials such as RECOVERY.
For more information about the REF 2021 results in Oxford, visit Oxford University and Oxford Brookes University websites.