REF 2014 Results
The 2014 Research Excellence Framework (REF2014) rated the majority of research in the School of Human and Life Sciences as world leading and internationally excellent.
Work in areas ranging from the evidence-based development of sport and health promotion in schools, through the use of isometric exercise to combat hypertension, to the use of ladybirds as bio-control agents, was assessed by three panels in: Sport & Exercise Science, Leisure and Tourism; Agriculture, Veterinary and Food Science; and Politics and International Studies, with submissions to the former two panels, and a sub-theme within the latter, led and managed within the School. The 2014 Research Excellence Framework is the latest in a cycle of independent national research assessments that take place every 5-6 years.
Two-thirds of all work in Sport & Exercise Sciences, Leisure and Tourism was rated as world leading and internationally excellent. This is one of the most long-standing areas of research at CCCU, and current work focuses on Clinical Exercise Science, Human Performance, and Policy, Politics and Education. In addition, led by the Centre for Sport, Physical Education & Activity Research (SPEAR), the panel’s assessment of impact showed that 100% of submitted work had outstanding and very considerable impact that is world leading and internationally excellent.
In Agriculture, Veterinary and Food Sciences, which was submitted to national research assessment by the university for the first time in 2014, half of the submitted research outputs were rated as world leading and internationally excellent. Current work focuses on: Pests, Pathogens and Crop Protection; Applied Ecology and Environmental Management; and, Animal Behaviour, Welfare and Conservation, with significant post-REF2014 research now diversifying into areas of biomolecular science.
Geographical research at CCCU was submitted as a Communities and Identities theme within the Politics and International Studies area, which was also a first time submission in 2014. Reflecting the applied focus of our GeoAcademy initiative, 80% of this work was assessed as having considerable impacts with internationally recognised reach and significance.