Professor Tim Ibell, Associate Dean for Research, discusses logging evidence into ResearchFish, Open Access and research impact in preparation for the next Research Excellence Framework (REF):
From 1 February until 10 March 2016, the window is open for all academics who have held, or hold, research funding from one or more of the Research Councils to log onto ResearchFish and to provide information on the outcomes of our grants. Given that there will be sanctions imposed on us for non-compliance in providing such evidence of outcomes during this period, it is crucial that every research-active academic in the Faculty logs into ResearchFish, when prompted, and provides information about their funded research projects.
In April, the three-month rule kicks in for REF purposes concerning Open Access. Any paper which has been accepted for publication must be uploaded to Pure within three months of such acceptance if it is to be eligible for return to the next REF. Note that even Gold Open Access papers should be put onto Pure as soon as possible after acceptance, just in case there is a significant gap prior to publication.
All papers published that have been written based on Research-Council funded grants must carry clear explanations for how the data underpinning the paper can be accessed from a data repository. Checks by the Research Councils will be made during 2016 to ensure compliance with this.
If you are developing impact from your research but you don’t feel that the Faculty’s Impact Delivery Group yet knows about such impact, you should contact the Director of your Research Centre, where applicable, or the Director of Research in your Department. This will ensure that we are capturing all potential research impact.
And finally, if you are yet to attend one of the Faculty REF Workshops, please do so during 2016.
