News release: RAE results confirm international excellence of UK research: University of Central Lancashire gets outstanding results

Abstract

The results of the 200 1 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) confirm that universities in the UK are
international leaders in delivering world class research. The RAE assesses the quality of research in all
higher education institutions through a process of peer review and uses the results to allocate funding. Nearly
300 international experts set the benchmark standard of international excellence, and score the results ti·om 1
- 5* with 5* being the highest.
The University of Central Lancashire has acquitted itself well in this round of RAE visits and for the first
time gained scores of 4 in some of its subjects, notably History, Law and Physics, while it scored no less that
3 in any subject submitted for review. These results put the University among the leaders in the field among
modem universities, which have only been funded for research since 1993.
Physics, which scored a 4 is top graded for a modern university, Law comes equal second and General
Engineering which scored a 3a comes equal 3rd. Eight ofthe University subject areas come in the top 7 of
modem universities and in History, 100% of staff who submitted work for review scored 4, results which
will feed back into their teaching.
Sir Howard Newby, Chief Executive of the Higher Education Funding Council for England said: "Research
is a major driver of productivity, quality of life and international competitiveness."
The University of Central Lancashire has worked hard to develop its research infrastructure since 1993 when
modem universities began competing for the funding that, until then, had only been available to old
universities, with long established research cultures. Given tlus background, the University of Central
Lancashire's results are even more impressive.
At the University of Central Lancashire, Professor James Lusty, Pro Vice-Chancellor responsible for
research said: "The results of this round of the RAE show that the quality of research in the faculties is of
national and international excellence. The RAE recognises the commitment and dedication of staff and the
high calibre of their work. We can be proud of this outcome and the University will build upon this
excellence for the future."
NR472MD
14 December 2001
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