The results of the 2021 Research Excellence Framework have been announced. This exercise assesses the quality of research undertaken in UK universities since 2014. The results confirm that research in the field of communication at Loughborough is outstanding with 100% of research impact rated ‘world-leading’ by an independent national and international panel of experts.100% of the research environment was also rated as world-leading. This places Communication at Loughborough amongst the leading centres for research in the UK.
Professor John Downey, who led Loughborough’s submission in communication, commented:
‘This is a very pleasing result consolidating our position as one of the leading centres of research in Communication in the UK. We were delighted to receive perfect scores for research environment and for impact. We’re very proud of the way that we develop our doctoral researchers and early career researchers and create a supportive environment that is equitable, diverse, and inclusive for all colleagues. Our score for impact recognises the outstanding positive effects our research has on society. This could only be achieved through working in close collaboration with organisations such as the BBC, the British Museum, the NHS, and, during the pandemic, with Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage). I would like to thank all of our impact partners for their collaboration’.