Quality and impact of research at Norwich University of the Arts is recognised as ‘world leading and internationally excellent’

The results of the UK-wide assessment of university research, the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF), have been published today. The REF provides a unique analysis of research across UK universities and shows where their research stands in terms of its quality and impact on the domestic and global stage.

We are pleased to report that 71% of Norwich University of the Arts’ (NUA) research, assessed within the Art and Design: History, Practice and Theory unit of assessment, has been rated as ‘world leading or internationally excellent’, the highest two ratings identified in the REF audit.  This is up from 55% since the last time research was assessed in the 2014 REF. The University submitted research from 18 staff, an increase of 143% from 2014. 

Three distinct elements of research have been assessed:  the quality of outputs (e.g. creative practice, publications, performances and exhibitions) in terms of originality, significance and rigour, their impact beyond academia and the university environment that supports research.  69% of the University’s outputs were assessed as world-leading or internationally excellent, 75% of Research Impact and 70% of Research Environment were assessed as ‘world-leading or internationally excellent’.

NUA Vice-Chancellor Professor Ofield-Kerr said: “These are excellent results for the University.  We have more than doubled the size of our research community and significantly increased our research quality since 2014.  We will build on this success as we embark on our new five-year University Strategy and as our commitment to critical creative practice, research and knowledge exchange moves further to the core of our mission’

75% of NUA research submitted in two impact case studies was rated as representing ‘outstanding and very considerable’ impacts in its reach and significance. The case studies focused on ‘Arts, Health and Wellbeing’ and ’Public Engagement with the Norfolk Broads’, identifying the impact of the University’s research on society, culture and the economy since 2000.