Research at Keele University into debilitating medical conditions has been ranked as some of the best in the country in the UK-wide Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021).

Keele’s Allied Health Professions Unit of Assessment (UoA) was ranked 4th overall in the UK out of 89 submissions, reflecting the quality and impact of the research done by Keele scientists.

Studies submitted as part of the Allied Health Professions UoA included pioneering research by academics working to improve the treatment and everyday lives of patients with serious or debilitating medical conditions, such as gout, low back pain, and osteoarthritis. Submissions included research from across Keele’s Schools of Life Sciences, Chemistry, Medicine/Primary Care and Pharmacy.

Additionally, 88% of the research submitted was classified as world-leading, receiving the highest rating of 4*, and 28% more staff were submitted in this category than the previous REF in 2014, reflecting the University’s growth as a research-led institution which prioritises excellence in research as well as education.

These positive results were reflective of Keele’s overall strong performance in REF 2021, which saw a 75% increase in the volume of world-leading research across the University compared to the last REF in 2014, with 80% of Keele’s research being classified as either world-leading or internationally excellent (4* or 3* rated research).

Professor Mark Ormerod, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost at Keele University said “I am delighted by our outstanding performance in the Allied Health Professions Unit of Assessment in REF 2021. Our submission to the Allied Health Professions Unit of Assessment, UoA 3, was by some way our largest submission at Keele, with 61 members of staff submitted.

“To be ranked fourth in the UK by GPA out of 89 submissions, with outstanding performance for the quality of the outputs submitted, the impact of the research, with four world-leading 4* impact case studies, and research environment, is a superb achievement and testament to the quality and impact of our research in health.”