Our impact
Our research has a major impact on many fields beyond academia and makes a significant difference to people's people's lives across the globe. Our expertise, knowledge and insights help to improve society and the economy, while contributing to key debates among the wider population.
Our influence on policymaking is particularly extensive, both within the UK and across the globe. Our researchers advise international governments and agencies, UK government departments and authorities, and organisations that lobby for and encourage policy change.
Making a difference in computer science
The Research Excellence Framework (REF), which assesses the quality of research in UK higher education institutions, consistently confirms the world-leading quality of our research.
The key outcomes of REF2021 were as follows:
- 100% of our submitted research activity was rated as 'internationally excellent'.
- Of this, 81% was rated as 4* (the highest possible rating) or 'world-leading in terms of originality, significance and rigour'.
- Our submissions had the second-highest percentage of 4* research activity out of all 90 UK institutions in Computer Science and Informatics.
It is also truly impressive to see the many and varied impacts that are arising from our work — many more than could be reflected in our impact case studies, which themselves range widely across industry sectors as diverse as aviation, infrastructure, internet technologies, and healthcare. Professor Leslie Ann Goldberg, Head of Department
The REF2021 results are testament to the department's continued progress, and our commitment to maintaining the highest quality alongside sustained growth.