Department of Biology
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- Department of Biology ranked 9th in the UK for research excellence
Department of Biology ranked 9th in the UK for research excellence
Posted on 19 May 2022
The outstanding research conducted in our department has been ranked 6th in the UK by the Times Higher Education, based on the results of the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF). We are extremely proud of the quality of our research, with 75% of our research being assessed as world-leading (4* rating) or higher.
Our research expertise spans the biological sciences, covering a wide breadth - from ecology to biomedicine. Our fantastic research has major influence in areas including environmental policy, tackling disease, and biofuels.
We have always been proud of the research we produce at York, and of the community of staff and students that make it possible. We are delighted to have the quality of our research endorsed in this way.
Quote from Head of Department, Professor James Moir
“We're delighted to have once again been ranked in the top ten in the UK for Biological Sciences. It's thanks to the hard work of inspirational colleagues that we've been amongst the top institutions for Biological Sciences in 2008, 2014, and now again in the REF2021 exercise. Since the REF, we've pushed on by investing in new staff and facilities, and initiating exciting new projects and programmes. We're proud to be a great place to do research!"
York’s overall position
The University of York as a whole also moved into the top 10 universities in the UK as ranked by Times Higher Education analysis of the REF results. All of our subject areas are now ranked in the top 30 in the UK, with four of our Departments positioned in the top five: Language and Linguistics (1st), Philosophy (2nd), Sociology (4th) and Education (5th).
Such exceptional rankings demonstrate our commitment to the quality of our research, our supportive research environment, and our commitment to contributing to the public good.
Find out more about York's excellent REF results.
About the REF
The Research Excellence Framework (REF) is a UK-wide assessment of the quality of research in universities undertaken by expert review panels. The REF provides a robust and thorough assessment of the quality of universities’ research in all disciplines, providing accountability for public investments in research and demonstrating the benefits of that investment. The highest ratings are 4*, indicating research that is world-leading in terms of originality, significance and rigour, and 3*, indicating research that is internationally excellent.