News
Wales Research Result Released
Universities in Wales are continuing to deliver world-class research according to
the results of the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) published today.
The exercise, which assesses the quality of research in higher education
institutions throughout the UK, shows that Wales remains a vibrant player on the
UK research stage.
Wales saw strong performances over a range of subjects from art and design to
physics, with world-class achievement in a number of areas including civil
engineering, computer science and informatics, psychiatry and neuroscience,
psychology and Celtic studies.
14% of all research activity submitted by Welsh institutions was judged to be
‘world-leading’, with a further 35% assessed as ‘internationally excellent’.
Roger Thomas, Chairman of HEFCW, said: “We are very pleased to see a strong
research performance from Welsh universities in so many areas. The challenge
now is to use these strengths to boost Wales’s knowledge economy and create
wealth and jobs, which is particularly important given the current economic
climate.”
Professor Philip Gummett, Chief Executive of HEFCW, said: “We should
celebrate the impressive research that is done in higher education in Wales, and
the contribution it makes to the reputation of Wales in the world.
“We recognise, though, that research remains a highly competitive process. We
will continue to work to strengthen our research base in Wales. Maintaining our
high standing relative to UK and global competition remains a big challenge both
for us in HEFCW and for those in our universities charged with continually raising
our research ambitions.”
11 institutions in Wales made a total of 144 submissions to the exercise, which
covered 2,578 members of staff – over 10% more than for the last exercise in
2001.