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Uni drops out of research top 10 Uni drops out of research top 10
(about 3 hours later)
Cardiff University has fallen out of the UK top 10 for research, new figures show.Cardiff University has fallen out of the UK top 10 for research, new figures show.
The institution has dropped to 22 in the Research Assessment Exercise (RAE), which allocates research funding worth around £1.5bn every year.The institution has dropped to 22 in the Research Assessment Exercise (RAE), which allocates research funding worth around £1.5bn every year.
The marking system has changed since 2001, but is still considered to be the benchmark measuring research quality.The marking system has changed since 2001, but is still considered to be the benchmark measuring research quality.
Cardiff University said the results were "not immediately comparable" and its work remained "world leading".Cardiff University said the results were "not immediately comparable" and its work remained "world leading".
The last RAE was conducted seven years ago.The last RAE was conducted seven years ago.
It is seen as the definitive way to grade how well universities' research departments are doing.It is seen as the definitive way to grade how well universities' research departments are doing.
The results will determine how much money institutions get for the five years starting in September 2009.The results will determine how much money institutions get for the five years starting in September 2009.
The exercise involves academics assessing the work of other academics. So the work of some 50,000 academics has been graded.The exercise involves academics assessing the work of other academics. So the work of some 50,000 academics has been graded.
'Pockets of excellence''Pockets of excellence'
In the past, the scores were straightforward, every department was given a single rating much like a hotel, with 5-star being the very best.In the past, the scores were straightforward, every department was given a single rating much like a hotel, with 5-star being the very best.
RESEARCH PROFILES Neuroscience, psychiatry and psychology - 25% of research world-leading grade 4*Civil engineering - 25% world leadingBusiness - 35% world leadingJournalism, media and communication - 45% world leadingCity and regional planning - 30% world leadingLaw - 25% world leadingAssessment for some of the leading research departments at Cardiff UniversityRESEARCH PROFILES Neuroscience, psychiatry and psychology - 25% of research world-leading grade 4*Civil engineering - 25% world leadingBusiness - 35% world leadingJournalism, media and communication - 45% world leadingCity and regional planning - 30% world leadingLaw - 25% world leadingAssessment for some of the leading research departments at Cardiff University
But this time the scoring is more complicated. Instead of being given one score, departments are given a range of scores.But this time the scoring is more complicated. Instead of being given one score, departments are given a range of scores.
It means that what is known as "pockets of excellence" can be identified. Cardiff's ranking fell despite certain departments doing exceptionally well.It means that what is known as "pockets of excellence" can be identified. Cardiff's ranking fell despite certain departments doing exceptionally well.
In a statement, the university said 33 out of 34 research areas it had submitted for assessment were shown to be "world-leading in terms of originality, significance and rigour".In a statement, the university said 33 out of 34 research areas it had submitted for assessment were shown to be "world-leading in terms of originality, significance and rigour".
It said the assessment had shown almost 60% of the university's research was in the top two categories, "world-leading or internationally excellent".It said the assessment had shown almost 60% of the university's research was in the top two categories, "world-leading or internationally excellent".
The university also boasts two Nobel Prize winners in its ranks - Sir Martin Evans, a professor of mammalian genetics, who is a leading stem cell researcher, and Professor Robert Huber, who won the prize for chemistry in 1988.The university also boasts two Nobel Prize winners in its ranks - Sir Martin Evans, a professor of mammalian genetics, who is a leading stem cell researcher, and Professor Robert Huber, who won the prize for chemistry in 1988.
In 2004, the campus merged with the University of Wales College of Medicine. The university said the assessment had shown the merger was "producing many research benefits".In 2004, the campus merged with the University of Wales College of Medicine. The university said the assessment had shown the merger was "producing many research benefits".
'Meaningful outcomes''Meaningful outcomes'
Vice Chancellor Dr David Grant said: "Our research has real and meaningful outcomes that improve and change the lives of people worldwide.Vice Chancellor Dr David Grant said: "Our research has real and meaningful outcomes that improve and change the lives of people worldwide.
"This recognition of Cardiff's powerful research profile is good news not just for the university, but for Wales and our communities more widely as our world-leading research drives forward improvements in so many areas.""This recognition of Cardiff's powerful research profile is good news not just for the university, but for Wales and our communities more widely as our world-leading research drives forward improvements in so many areas."
Both Swansea and Aberystwyth have moved up around 10 places in the RAE ranking, with Aberystwyth's politics department doing better than Oxford, Cambridge and the London School of Economics.Both Swansea and Aberystwyth have moved up around 10 places in the RAE ranking, with Aberystwyth's politics department doing better than Oxford, Cambridge and the London School of Economics.
Bangor university said it was top in the UK research assessment for accounting and finance and second in electronic engineering.
Vice chancellor Prof Merfyn Jones said: "The results show that Bangor's research progress is growing year on year: that we have areas of real world excellence as well as all round strength."
The ratings of the University of Wales Institute, Cardiff (Uwic) and Lampeter University have slipped.The ratings of the University of Wales Institute, Cardiff (Uwic) and Lampeter University have slipped.
The full results of the RAE are released later on Thursday.The full results of the RAE are released later on Thursday.