REF delay is a déjà vu

Postponing Research Excellence Frameworks is becoming a habit, says John Whitfield

Perhaps Research Excellence Frameworks should get numbers, like movie sequels, rather than years, like Olympic Games. None, after all, has taken place on the timescale originally planned.

REF I was intended for 2013, but in 2010 the incoming coalition government put it back a year to allow more time to consider how the real-world impact of research would be evaluated. REF II was lined up for 2021 and shifted for 2022 for reasons you will probably remember. REF III was trailed this summer with a release date of 2028, but as of last week has been bumped back to late 2029 to give more time to discuss its rules and plan for its processes.