Research Support and Open Access

The Research Excellence Framework (REF) is a system implemented in the UK to evaluate and assess the quality and impact of research conducted by higher education institutions. It aims to provide accountability for public investment in research, generate evidence of the benefits derived from this investment, and inform the allocation of funding for research projects. The REF also serves as a benchmarking tool, establishing standards for assessing the reputation of institutions within the higher education sector and providing valuable information to the public.

REF2021 ran from 1st January 2014-31st March 2021 with the results of the REF2021 published in May 2022.

What next for the REF?

The next exercise will be conducted in 2029 with institutions providing their submissions in late 2028. Although similar to the REF2021 exercise it is expected that there will be changes to the exercise including the Open Access policy.

Current advice from Research England is that the Open Access policy for REF2021 still applies, until such time as new guidance is released.

What is in scope of the REF Open Access policy?

The REF2021 exercise accepted a range of research outputs but the Open Access policy is only applicable in some instances.

You should make your work Open Access if all three of the following statements apply to your research:

• Your work is published as a journal article or conference proceeding
• It has been accepted for publication during the current assessment period (1st January 2021–31st December 2029)
• It will be published in a title with an ISSN

How do I make my work compliant with the REF Open Access policy?

There are two routes to compliance with the Open Access policy.

Route 1: Gold Open Access

This is the immediate publication of the final version of your work on a publisher's website. If you have published your research as Gold Open Access, it is automatically compliant with the REF Open Access policy. Birmingham Newman University subscribes to a number of deals which offer free or discounted publishing options. To find out more, check out our guide to publishing Gold open access.

Route 2: Green Open Access 

Publishing the accepted or final version of your work in a compliant Open Access repository. In this case, embargo periods may apply. The maximum permitted embargo periods are:

Panels A and B: 12 months

Panels C and D: 24 months

Birmingham Newman University has a compliant Open Access repository in which you can deposit your work. To find out more, visit our guide to publishing Green Open Access.

The route you choose will vary from project to project. If you need help understanding how to make your work compliant you can contact the library by e-mailing openaccess@newman.ac.uk.

When you submit your research to the repository, compliance with the REF Open Access policy will be checked for you. If your research fails to meet the requirements then a member of the repository team will be in touch to discuss exceptions. Exceptions may not be agreed until closer to the end of the assessment period.

There is no guarantee that an exception will be applied, so you should always aim to meet the REF Open Access requirements in the first instance.