Executive summary

Purpose

1. This document sets out the draft assessment criteria and working methods of the main and sub-panels for the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021, for consultation.

2. The final panel criteria and working methods will be published in early 2019. This document, taken together with the ‘Guidance on submissions’, also published in draft for consultation (REF 2018/01), will provide a comprehensive description of the information required in submissions to the REF, and how the REF panels will assess submissions.

Action required

3. Please respond to this consultation by 15 October 2018 using the online form. This can be accessed at https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/DTZ1O/. A Word version of the response form can be downloaded below, for information only. Only responses received through the online form will be reviewed and included in our analysis.