School of Social Sciences and Humanities achieve success in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF) results.

The results show that 87% of Loughborough’s School of Social Sciences and Humanities research has been recognised as ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’.

The REF independently assesses the quality of research in UK Higher Education Institutions against three main criteria: the quality of research “outputs”, the societal “impact”, and the overall research “environment” providedi. 

Each unit of assessment within the School of Social Sciences and Humanities received fantastic results: 

  • Communication, Culture and Media Studies: 100% of research impact rated ‘world-leading’ 
  • Geography and Environmental Studies: 100% of research impact rated ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’ 
  • Politics and International Studies: 100% of research impact rated ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’ 
  • Social Work and Social Policy: 100% of research impact rated ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’ 
  • English Language and Literature: 83% of research rated ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’ 

Dean of the School, Professor Lisanne Gibson said 

I’m so proud that 87% of our research has been recognised as world leading or internationally excellent in the REF2021 exercise, with two units - Media and Communication and Geography both graded as more than 90% 4*. Our social science and humanities work has impact around the world with 4 of our 5 units assessed as having 100% world leading or internationally significant impact.’