Faculty of Medicine and Health celebrates world leading research

REF 2021 highlights the Faculty of Medicine and Health as a leading UK research institution generating high quality applied and translational research

The latest UK wide assessment of research quality (REF2021) highlights the Faculty of Medicine and Health and the University of Leeds as a leading UK research institution generating high quality applied and translational medical, public health, health services and psychological research.  

 REF2021 highlighted: 

• At least 86% of research activities across the Units of Assessment submitted to by the Faculty were classified as world leading or internationally excellent 
• The substantial impact of our research was acknowledged, with 100% rated as world leading or internationally excellent in three units of assessment 
• The excellence of our research environment was recognised across all Units of Assessment, with our Healthcare professionals (nurses, pharmacists, dentists, and allied health professionals in UoA 3) having 100% of the research environment assessed as the highest possible rating of 4* 

The Faculty’s success is a result of excellent interdisciplinary work from our community of scientists and academics who are supported by the highest quality clinical, methodological, translational, and technological facilities. 

In a joint statement, the Pro Deans for Research and Innovation, Carl Thompson and Anne-Maree Keenan, said, “We are pleased the efforts of our excellent interdisciplinary academic community, working to solve important scientific and health problems, were recognised in REF2021. Our dedicated academic, professional, technical, and administrative staff undertake the research needed to achieve our vision of improved health - wherever you live. Better research happens when researchers work in environments that promote more equal, diverse and inclusive communities; our REF2021 results reflect this.”   

 For the REF2021 submission, research and impact from our schools and institutes was assessed by disciplinary units, known as Units of Assessment (UoA) for Clinical Medicine (UoA1), Public Health, Health Service and Primary Care (UoA2), Allied Health Professions, Dentistry, Nursing and Pharmacy (UoA3), and Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience (UoA 4). Notable successes include:  

• 55% of all research activities were rated as world leading for Allied Health Professions, Dentistry, Nursing and Pharmacy (UoA3) 
• 94% of research outputs for Public Health, Health Service and Primary Care (UoA2) were rated as either world-leading or internationally excellent 
• 87% of research activities for Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience (UoA4) were rated as world leading or internationally excellent 
• 100% of Impact activities related to Clinical Medicine were rated as either ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’ 

The impact of our research is a particular highlight, including how our research has improved the safe use of medicines for older people living in care homes and how we have used MRIs to improve the diagnosis and safety of patients with heart disease. 

Further information 

For media enquiries contact University of Leeds press office via pressoffice@leeds.ac.uk.
View the University of Leeds' REF 2021 results for all units of assessment.