Ulster University has been ranked among the top 20 per cent of UK universities for research impact and delivering a positive and long-term impact on societies and economies globally by a panel of international experts.
The evaluation was part of the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF) process which is an independent assessment by international experts of the quality, impact and significance of research carried out by UK funding bodies every seven years. The findings show that Ulster University has world-leading expertise across a number of fields that impact economic sectors and society globally.
The university also increased its level of four-star rated, world-leading research, the highest accolade that can be awarded, with 87 per cent of its research rated as either world leading or internationally excellent.
According to Ulster University vice-chancellor Prof Paul Bartholomew, the REF results reflect seven years of research, commitment and partnership by the Ulster University research community. “Our strategy to put our research to work on behalf of society and the economy is reflected in our UK top 20 per cent ranking for research impact and our pre-eminent position in Northern Ireland,” he says.
‘Superb outcome’
“This superb outcome for Ulster University confidently builds on our 2014 outcomes and demonstrates the depth and breadth of our research in diverse disciplines,” he adds. “The emphasis we place on research with impact is fundamental to the purpose of the university, our research community and our many partners in other universities and sectors, so I’m delighted that this has been recognised through this process.”
More than 80 per cent of Ulster’s research outputs were assessed as world leading or internationally excellent while the university was ranked joint first in the UK for its world-leading research environment in the allied health professions. It was also ranked joint first in the UK for world-leading research impact in music, drama, dance, performing arts, and screen studies.
Research into physical activity and health led by Prof Marie Murphy has had a wide-reaching influence in setting public health guidelines in the UK and worldwide
The importance of academic research for society generally is emphasised by Bartholomew. “The past two years of the pandemic have highlighted just what a force for good academic research can be in our society. Being first in the UK for research environment across the allied health sciences delivers the conditions in which our researchers make a tangible difference to health outcomes. The REF outcomes point to the relevance and practical application of our research, which has far-reaching impact and global significance.”
Folic acid
One example of that excellence in health research is a project by Ulster’s Prof Helene McNulty on folic acid which has directly impacted international health policy for women of reproductive age. The research, which is aimed at preventing major birth defects in babies, provided the necessary scientific opinion to set new dietary recommendations across age and sex-groups to benefit populations worldwide, and informed the risk-benefit assessment underpinning food policy for folic acid fortification in the UK, Ireland and New Zealand. It also contributed to translating the scientific evidence into practice for policymakers and health professionals globally, ultimately to benefit patients and consumers.
And research into physical activity and health led by Prof Marie Murphy has had a wide-reaching influence in setting public health guidelines in the UK and worldwide. The research into the health effects of brisk walking led directly to the UK government developing app technology to encourage inactive people to exercise more.
In the area of food affordability, ground-breaking research led by Dr Sinead Furey on food policy and consumer choice continues to inform the strategic direction of NGOs, public sector bodies and retailers on the affordability and accessibility of food to the wider public.
“From heart disease to mental health, from renewable energy and emerging technologies to clean water, access to justice and societal issues such as violence and conflict – in these areas and many more, Ulster University is driving life-enhancing outcomes for individuals, communities and economies,” he adds.
‘Excellent quality’
“At Ulster University we are committed to creating an environment which supports, promotes and enables research excellence,” says the pro vice-chancellor for research, Prof Liam Maguire. “Over 96 per cent of our research environment has been assessed as conducive to producing research of world-leading and internationally excellent quality and empowering outstanding impact. This entirely reflects the quality, commitment and leadership of our research community, our investment in research, our worldwide contribution and the strength of our partnerships and collaborations.”
Collaboration with industry is another important facet of research at the university. “In recent years we have brought research disciplines closer to each other and closer to industry and it is this close collaboration that drives the research and innovation projects that will be part of Northern Ireland’s City and Growth Deals now and in the years to come,” Maguire concludes.