REF2021 results celebrate inclusivity and impact of Oxford's Archaeology submission

Today the UK funding bodies have published the results of the UK’s most recent national research assessment exercise, the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021. Research from the School of Archaeology was submitted to Unit of Assessment 15 (Archaeology) along with archaeological research from Classics, Continuing Education, Oxford museums and colleges.

In UoA 15, 53% of Oxford’s Archaeology submission was judged to be 4* (the highest score available, for research quality that is world-leading in terms of originality, significance and rigour). These results put Oxford’s Archaeology submission amongst the highest, particularly in terms of 4* research volume (calculated from %4* x submitted FTE; full results can be found at www.ref.ac.uk). We are delighted to have achieved these results while also including a substantial proportion of researchers early in their careers.

The results reflect not only the high-quality of outputs, but also the excellence of the research environment and of its wider societal impact. Oxford’s Archaeology submission featured diverse forms of engagement with people all over the world, from community archaeology in east Oxford to deep time in Japan.

Amy Bogaard, head of the School of Archaeology in Oxford, commented: “This is a moment to celebrate our achievements, but also to reflect on the great results of Archaeology units of assessment in HEIs across the UK sector. At a key moment for our discipline, the strength of UK Archaeology has never been more apparent or strategically important. Our research is inherently collaborative, across the UK and internationally, and these networks help to build the world-class research we all strive for”.