A campaign that recognises the unsung work in the UK’s academic research has been awarded £3.5 million.

The E-TIE campaign has been developed by the academics behind the Hidden REF
Press release issued: 3 February 2025
A campaign that recognises the unsung work in the UK’s academic research has been awarded £3.5 million.
The Research Excellence Framework (REF) is the UK’s system for assessing the quality of research in UK higher education institutions and determines public research funding for universities.
The new five-year project from the University of Bristol and the University of Southampton, called Embedding Trust in Evaluation (E-TIE), will develop recommendations and guidance to ensure that the non-traditional outputs that underpin research are formally recognised in the next REF.
This includes the recognition of outputs like screenings, software applications, licences and patents, and exhibitions that are vital contributions to successful research but are currently overlooked.
Professor Gemma Derrick , Professor of Research Policy and Culture at the University of Bristol, is leading the E-TIE project alongside University of Southampton academics Professor Simon Hettrick , Professor of Software Sustainability, and Professor James Baker , Professor of Digital Humanities.
As well as making recommendations to Research England for REF 2029, the project team will advise UK institutions on best practice in submitting non-traditional outputs for assessment. The project will also feed into an annual festival and competition which champions “hidden” outputs and roles.
Prof Derrick said: “This project is vital because it shines a spotlight on the often-overlooked individuals and contributions that sustain research. By celebrating all roles and outputs, it champions a more inclusive, equitable and accurate way of valuing the true fabric of the research ecosystem.”
There are two strands to the project. The Bristol team will focus on building an evidence base for the assessment of non-traditional outputs, and this will feed into future competitions, workshops, pre-REF assessment evaluations, and eventually, REF2029.
The team at the University of Southampton will focus on running the competitions, the festival and working with Bristol to engage universities in the workshops towards increasing the representation of NTOs submitted to REF2029.
Prof Hettrick said: “This will make research both better and fairer. There are lots of people without whom research would not be possible, so this is a big step towards ensuring proper and fair recognition and reward during the REF.”
Prof Baker added: “It feels great that something that was genuinely started at grass roots has gained momentum to get to this stage. There is a lot of work to do to change the culture here, and we are confident that this project will lay the foundations for mainstream recognition of non-traditional research outputs and overlooked roles.”
The E-TIE project builds on the Hidden REF campaign from the University of Bristol and Southampton.
Rebecca Fairbairn, Director of REF, said: “REF 2029 will deliver an expanded definition of research excellence, recognising the wide range of research, roles and people that are a necessity for excellent, impactful research and a vital part of the UK’s vibrant research system. This project will provide additional impetus, and evidence on these key topics, complementing the work already underway through the Research Diversity Advisory Panel and the PCE Pilot .”
Steven Hill, Director of Research at Research England, added: “Around the world, countries are recognising the importance of valuing the research system as a whole and all the roles and work that encompasses. We have an opportunity in the UK to lead the way in this work.”
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