University News Last updated 05 March 2009
Birmingham City University has seen its research funding more than doubled in an announcement made today Thursday (March 5).
As reward for an outstanding performance in a national audit of research excellence, Birmingham City University has been awarded nearly £1.8 million by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE).
The total allocation of £1,793,617 is an increase of almost 107 per cent on last year, which compares to a sector average of just 7.8 per cent[1].
The funds are quality-related (QR), that is they are directly related to the excellent quality of work undertaken at the University - much of it world class [2].
"This will be one of the biggest increases in QR research funding across the whole sector and we are delighted with the outcome," said Professor David Tidmarsh, Vice-Chancellor at Birmingham City University.
"This is not only a boost for us but for the regional and national economies that we serve because our research is very much focused on real world applications."
The funding boost follows a national survey of research excellence across the UK - the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE-2008) - which revealed that Birmingham City University had world-leading research in all seven subject areas submitted for review.
Art and Design at Birmingham City University is ranked top 10 in the country while Birmingham Conservatoire, which is part of the University, is among the UK's top three.
Birmingham City University's submission contained the largest percentage of world-leading research of any modern university. This success has repositioned the University among its peers and is now part of a group of modern universities spearheading research excellence to the very highest quality, while at the same time maintaining a strong commitment to teaching and professional practice.
Professor Tidmarsh added: "The success of RAE-2008 is a just reward for the hard work of the University's research community and has not only resulted in a significant increase in research funding but has successfully raised the profile and reputation of the University.
"We have performed exceptionally well compared to our peers - both nationally and regionally - and therefore soared up the research quality rankings by 20 places. We are now seen as a rising star institution."
Professor Tidmarsh explained that the HEFCE funding is only part of the overall research income generated by the University. When including consultancy, industry partnerships and related enterprise activities Birmingham City University spends more than £5 million on creating and disseminating new knowledge.
Note to Editors
1) The distribution of research funding is made by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) as part of the annual recurrent grant allocation process for the academic year 2009/10. Through this process English universities receive their funding for range of activities, such as teaching or supporting students from poorer backgrounds as well as research. Research money is handed out based on a complex formula dubbed the Quality Research (QR), which bases its calculations around a combination of research quality and research quantity.
2) In RAE-2008 Birmingham City University achieved outstanding results, including:
- Every area reviewed contained research outputs that are among the best in the world in terms of originality, significance and rigour
- Art and Design is among the top 10 submissions in the country and is also the best in the West Midlands
- Birmingham Conservatoire is one of the top three conservatoires in the country and the best outside London
- In all areas of assessment the University's research performance has increased significantly compared with the previous RAE in 2001
- Research in Social Work and Social Policy (Criminology), English, Education, Town and Country Planning, plus Business and Management Studies, was also recognised as being of international standing.
For more information about the University's research excellence visit: www.bcu.ac.uk/research
3 ) For more information contact: James Tallentire Tel: 0121 331 6735
Issued by Birmingham City University Media Relations Office. Tel: 0121 331 6738
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