Elizabeth Goodyear explains that more fulfilling partnerships can be formed with Universities when organisations have an understanding of the UK’s Higher Education excellence frameworks.
Why do the excellence frameworks matter?
We were asked by our non-university partners why the UK’s Higher Education excellence frameworks should matter to them and why they should be interested. Partners understood they were important but not why they were important, what they were, how they were used, and asked if the Hub could provide some guidance in easy-to-understand language for a policymaker. When it comes to understanding the impact of higher education and research in the UK, these three acronyms often come up: REF, KEF, and TEF. These frameworks play crucial roles in shaping the quality and direction of universities. If you’re partnering with or considering partnerships with universities, knowing about these three measures of university success can help you see the bigger picture of what these institutions aim to achieve and how, as a partner, you can help them achieve it. We have produced three blogs to explain the importance of these frameworks:
The Research Excellence Framework (REF)
The Knowledge Excellence Framework (KEF)
The Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)
Picking the most suitable University to partner with
Understanding REF, KEF, and TEF helps you identify which universities are leading in research, teaching, and engagement with industries and communities. Whether you are looking to fund research, innovate in your sector, or recruit graduates, these frameworks give you a clear benchmark of a university’s quality and focus areas. It can help you understand the strengths and opportunities local universities can offer, while also helping you to see how you can contribute to local university success in these measures.
For businesses, nonprofits, and public-sector agencies, partnering with a university that excels in the different relevant elements of these frameworks can lead to successful collaborations, access to innovative technologies, and recruitment of skilled graduates.
Not just academic jargon
In conclusion, REF, KEF, and TEF are not just academic jargon, they are indicators of how universities can add value to society, industries, and individuals. By understanding what these frameworks mean, you can make more informed decisions about the basis of your partnerships and investments in the higher education sector. You can also understand how universities can contribute to local economic development, create civic impact and provide innovation and learning environments.
Where performance frameworks for partners align, it is easier to develop partnerships that are mutually reinforcing as partners help achieve each other’s goals, whether that is impact case studies, student experiences, or business innovation.
Taking time to understand the drivers of success for different partners engenders mutual respect and understanding of one another. We would encourage all organisations looking to partner with universities to ask how you can help them achieve success in the REF, KEF and TEF and outline to them how the university can help you achieve your goals.
This blog was written by Elizabeth Goodyear, Programme Manager at City-REDI / WMREDI, University of Birmingham.
Disclaimer:
The views expressed in this post are those of the author and not necessarily those of City-REDI, WMREDI or the University of Birmingham.