The 2014 REF replaces earlier Research Assessment Exercises (“RAE”) to enable the higher education funding bodies to allocate research grants between Higher Education Institutions (“HEI”). For the first time impact will be one of the criteria evaluated in order that “benefit to the wider economy and society” is taken into account when allotting funding. This document has been created to provide an overview of how research is assessed for those involved in research in international development. It also identifies members of the research assessment panels with international development experience.

Read Times Higher Education article, Evolution of the REF, here.