The University of Glasgow has recorded spectacular advances in the 2001 national Research Assessment Exercise. Ninety-five per cent of research staff are in subject areas rated 4, 5 or 5* compared with 69% in the previous exercise in 1996.

The number of subjects with a top rating of 5 has risen from seven to 23. Four of these have starred 5 awards, double the number secured last time. These are European Studies, Psychology, Sports-related Subjects and English Language & Literature (which includes Scots Language & Scottish Literature).

In addition within Clinical Laboratory Sciences (which received an overall rating of 5) the Infection and Immunology submission was rated 5* by the sub-panel.

A further 20 subject areas have secured 4 ratings.

The University's international standing as a broad-based research institution was borne out by top ratings of 5 in subjects from across the University including History of Art, French, Law, Theology, Biological Sciences and Veterinary Science.

English Language & Literature have reached their 5* position from an award of 3a in the last RAE. Sports-related Subjects have advanced from a 2 in 1992 through a 4 in 1996.

A similar advance has been achieved by both Law and Accounting & Finance, which have advanced from ratings of 2 in 1992 through 4s in 1996 to their current 5s. Mechanical Engineering has risen to a 5 from a 3a in 1996.

In Medicine both Clinical Laboratory Sciences and Hospital-based Clinical Subjects which had received 3s in 1992 and 4s in 1996 have advanced to 5s.

The Faculty of Computing Science, Maths and Statistics has secured a complete sweep of 5s.

Computing Science, Politics and Urban Studies have all maintained a record of securing 5s in every assessment since the RAE of 1992.

Veterinary Medicine, which lost its 5 in 1996 has successfully regained it.

The newest Faculty, Education, has secured a 4, one of 20 subject areas to receive this grade.

Welcoming the results, the Principal, Professor Sir Graeme Davies said: "Our enhanced performance in the latest Research Assessment Exercise is a reflection of the deliberate strategy that we have pursued and the tremendous efforts which have been made by staff across the University. Our priorities since the last RAE have been to attract new staff of international standing and to create opportunities for our own staff of international standing to commit more time and effort to research. Along with our investment in research infrastructure this policy is obviously bearing fruit.

"We can also take pleasure in the general advance in research strength in Scotland and, working with the Scottish Executive and SHEFC, look forward to continuing our contribution to the social, cultural and economic wellbeing of the country."

Professor Peter Holmes, Vice-Principal for Research, reinforced the Principal's comments: "We are delighted with the RAE results. They clearly illustrate the strength and breadth of research in the University. The results are also evidence of the high level of commitment shown by staff. Their efforts to strengthen our research culture and conduct research of international excellence have been rewarded.

"Furthermore, we are pleased to contribute to the overall strength of the research base in Scotland. Our efforts underline the international quality of Scotland's research."

The percentage of academic staff submitted to the RAE was 75%, the same figure as in 1996.

Further details can be viewed on the University's Research & Enterprise web site at http://www.gla.ac.uk/R-E/pub/rae/index.html...

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Further details can be viewed on the University's Research & Enterprise web site at http://www.gla.ac.uk/R-E/pub/rae/index.html

First published: 14 December 2001