Libraries’ Contributions to the Quality of UK University Research Environments Were Not Acknowledged in REF 2014, but Could Be Made More Visible in REF 2021

A Review of: Walker, D. (2020). Libraries and the REF: How do librarians contribute to research excellence? Insights, 33(1), 6. https://doi.org/10.1629/uksg.497 Abstract Objective – To measure extent which libraries’ contributions United Kingdom (UK) university excellence were referenced in Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2014 unit-level environment statements, make recommendations libraries for increasing their visibility setting. Design Content analysis of an existing corpus. Setting Evaluation environments conducted as part UK REF assessment. Subjects 1,891 statements submitted 2014. Methods Each statement was categorized terms how extensively it library or librarian contributions: no mention, brief substantive mention. The frequency percentage each level mention are reported overall by disciplinary panel. Main Results Across all panels, only 25.8% included references librarians; most these lists electronic physical collections, but they also discussions support services offered librarians. There differences libraries, from 7.2% containing a panel examining science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM) units 44.0% arts humanities units. Conclusion In 2014, rarely discussed statements. While this lack representation may be due shortcomings library’s relationship with university’s office, could use number approaches becoming more visible 2021 Specifically, highlight roles in: ensuring discoverability accessibility information resources researchers; improving practices through teaching informational organizational skills, providing direct students staff, data management services; managing systems that capture discoverable non-article outputs; relation responsible bibliometrics other measures article quality impact; further developing impact training researchers social media advantage; open initiatives; assisting submission process.