REF 2021 recognises the School's world-leading research

10 June 2022

The Research Excellence Framework (REF) – a detailed analysis of the research strengths of all UK universities – found that St Andrews excelled in a number of key research areas – including Art History which is placed top in Scotland using REF 2021 data.

The School of Art History performed very well overall with the impact of the School’s research and research environment all recognised as exceptional. 72% of our overall submission is classed as world leading and 97% as world leading or internationally excellent. 100% of our research impact and research environment is classed as world leading or internationally excellent.

Professor Linda Goddard, Head of School of Art History said: “We are delighted that 72% of Art History’s overall submission has been classed as world leading, and 97% as world leading or internationally excellent. Only one institution in the UK achieved a higher percentage of 4 star research outputs. The results reflect the School’s commitment to strengthening our research environment, international partnerships, the impact of our scholarship beyond academia, the range of our published research, and our postgraduate research community.”

Impact Case Studies at the School of Art History at St Andrews which REF judged to be world leading and internationally excellent included:

  •  Redefining Community Museums in Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean
  •  Thinking 3D: Reinterpreting three-dimensional illustration in and beyond the early modern printed book
  •  Fostering Scottish art through research, collaboration, and engagement: The Ages of Wonder exhibition at the Royal Scottish Academy.

Full details are available via the Research Excellence Framework website and the University of St Andrews REF 2021 results are available on the Research website.