The Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 is out now.

In the most recent assessments of research conducted in academic departments across the UK our Department of Economics at Royal Holloway has been assessed to deliver internationally leading research capable of making a difference.

Of the research outputs submitted for evaluation by the department, 98.4 percent were deemed to be 4* or 3* with four-star being "world-leading" (36.1%) and 3-star being "internationally excellent in terms of originality, significance and rigour" (62.3%). The research submitted spanned all major areas of economics, from micro- and macroeconomics, to development economics and public policy, thus highlighting the broad range of expertise held in the department.

The assessment also highlighted the distinct and measurable impact that the department's research has had, with 50 percent of the submitted "impact case studies" deemed to be "world-leading" (4*). The case studies included a wide range of research including work that has influenced the UK public debate on immigration, research uncovering movements in financial asset prices that indicate information leakages, as well as highly influential research on the measurement of war casualties.

Said Professor Dan Anderberg, Head of Department: “We’re very proud of the research being conducted in the department and the broad impact that it continues to have. It’s great to see that all our staff have worked hard to ensure that we consistently deliver research at the very top international level."