Biological Sciences

Features

Biological Sciences at the University of Edinburgh has performed outstandingly in the latest UK-wide assessment of University research quality, the 2014 Research Excellence Framework.

Edinburgh's research excellence recognised

With more than half of our research in Biological Sciences assessed as 'world leading' I'm pleased and proud that REF2014 places us in the UK's top three for overall research quality and confirms our position as one of the world's leading biology departments.

Professor David GrayHead of School

The REF assessment, which is carried out for the UK Funding Councils by an independent panel of experts, shows that we are one of the top three UK higher education institutions for the outstanding quality of our biological sciences research. Our submissions to two units of assessment were also amongst the largest in the UK, reflecting the strength in depth of our School and the wide range of our expertise.

The research of 120 academic staff across our four research themes was submitted for assessment across two units: 112 staff to Unit of Assessment 5 Biological Sciences (cell and molecular biology, evolution, infection & immunity, systems & synthetic biology) and 8 to UoA1 Clinical Medicine (stem cell sciences - alongside clinical researchers in regenerative medicine and other clinical sciences).

Research is assessed using a star rating system, which describes activity considered to be excellent relative to the international context as '3*' quality, and research which is recognised to be world-leading as 4*'.

In UoA5, 91% of our research was assessed as of internationally excellent quality with 56% recognised as 'world-leading' in quality and scope. In UoA1, 88% of the University's research was assessed as of internationally excellent quality with 44% being 'world-leading'.

Research that makes a strong impact

The impact of our research for beneficiaries such as industry, patients, environmental and health policy and the wider public was also highly-valued in our REF assessment, with 80% of our impacts in the fundamental biological sciences recognised as having a world-leading effect in reach or significance, and 75% of impacts in clinical medical sciences assessed at this level.

Impact on public health policy

Research by the School of Biological Sciences into the tropical disease Schistosomiasis has been extensively used to inform vaccine development and optimization of drug intervention strategies in Africa, including mass drug administration programmes in Zimbabwe. The research leader, Dr Francisca Mutapi, recently won a 'recognising excellence' award for the impact of her research.

World-leading outputs

More than 85% of approximately 400 selected research outputs (publications, patents etc.) reviewed in our main submission to UoA5 Biological Sciences are classed as internationally excellent in terms of their originality, significance and rigour. Almost 40% of our outputs in this UoA are assessed as 'world-leading' in their quality.

Similarly, in UoA1 Clinical Medicine more than 80% of outputs were assessed as internationally excellent.

A vibrant and thriving research community

The academic community in which our researchers thrive was particularly recognised, with biological sciences' research environment assessed as entirely world-leading (100% 4*) in its vitality and sustainability. This includes our support for academics, development of early career researchers and students and support for under-represented groups, and in the facilities and technologies available to our staff. It also recognises our contributions to the discipline through academic review and collaboration across institutions.

We have ambitious plans to build on this success with major investment in our research environment. We have appointed 20 new academic staff into early-career fellowships, and are investing in new facilities that will support continued research excellence.

Professor Judi AllenDirector of Research

UK and Scottish strength in biological sciences

Overall, Biological Sciences was one of the most highly-rated disciplines in terms of the overall proportion of research submitted for assessment which was judged by the panel to be world-leading. More than a third of the research reviewed was assessed at this level. This confirms the UK's continued international leadership and strength in depth in the life sciences. The recognition of Dundee and Edinburgh in the top three in the UK in terms of the quality of our biology research also reflects Scotland's particular strengths in the life sciences.

The 2014 REF

155 UK universities took part in the 2014 REF. Almost 2000 submissions were made across the 36 Units of Assessment, featuring the research of more than 52,000 academic staff across the UK.

44 institutions submitted research for assessment to UoA5, and 31 to UoA1.

The 2014 REF was the first of its kind to ask institutions to demonstrate the impact of their research on the wider world. Impact has been described as: “an effect on, change or benefit to the economy, society, culture, public policy or services, health, the environment or quality of life, beyond academia.”

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