4th place for research impact, 5th place in UK rankings for research intensity in Modern Languages

The Research Excellence Framework (REF) is the new system for assessing the quality of research in UK higher education institutions. The 2014 REF was conducted jointly by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE), the Scottish Funding Council (SFC), the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW) and the Department for Employment and Learning, Northern Ireland (DEL). The primary purpose of REF 2014 was to assess the quality of research and produce outcomes for each submission made by institutions.

Cheers! Celebrating successful research with REF 2014.

Now that the results are in, we hope you’ll join us in celebrating! We’ve asked Dr Lisa Sampson, Director of Research, to fill us in on the tremendous research achievements of the Department of Modern Languages and European Studies at the University of Reading.

Reading’s thriving research culture in Modern Languages and Linguistics has earned it 4th place in the latest UK rankings for research impact in Modern Languages, and 5th place for research intensity in the same subject area, with the institution overall being ranked 19th in the UK by the same measure (where the quality of published research (Grade Point Average [GPA]) is scaled in line with the proportion of researchers submitted).

In terms of the ranking by GPA, Modern Languages research at Reading was ranked 23rd nationally, which places it above Oxford and several Russell Group universities, including Leeds, Nottingham, Birmingham, Bristol and Exeter.

Reading submitted work into the Modern Languages and Linguistics panel (UoA 28) from all eligible staff within the Department of Modern Languages and European Studies (MLES) and from selected staff in English Language and Applied Linguistics (DELAL). 100% of eligible staff in the Department and Modern Languages and European Studies were submitted, as well as staff from DELAL. Our submission therefore reflects our dynamic work in French, German, and Italian literary and cultural studies, as well as history and linguistics.

Dr Federico Faloppa (Italian Studies) with students from the Department of Modern Languages and European Studies.

Research in the ‘Research Excellence Framework’ exercise is graded from 4* to 1*. 64% of our work was ranked ‘internationally excellent’ (3*) or above, with 15% of our research graded (world-leading) 4*. In terms of research Impact, the assessment placed MLES at Reading in 4th position in the sector, with 80% graded 4* and 20% 3*. This reflects the significance of ongoing research in areas of modern language policy and in European history, including Andrew Knapp’s work on Allied Bombing in France. Other current research projects attracting media and public attention are Federico Faloppa’s work on linguistic racism, which has led to his participation in a number of media appearances in Italy (You can hear one of his interviews on Italian public radio (Rai 3)), and Lisa Sampson’s project with the British Library on early modern Italian Academies (recently showcased by the AHRC).

Modern Languages’ exceptional performance builds on our strong record in grant capture, with funded projects by the Leverhulme Trust, the Arts and Humanities Research Council, and the British Academy. In the coming years we plan to build on our research and impact strengths, especially thanks to Reading’s recent introduction of Spanish studies (one post is currently advertised).

Professor Françoise Le Saux (French Studies) and Dr Parvathi Kumaraswami (Spanish Studies) with students of the Department of Modern Languages and European Studies.

To learn more about the innovative work being done at Reading, visit the homepage of the Department of Modern Languages and European Studies. There you’ll find information about our research, as well as helpful updates for prospective students. If you’re interested in pursuing a Masters Degree or a PhD in Modern Languages at the University of Reading, we offer both Post-Graduate Taught and Post-Graduate Research degree courses.

To keep up with all of the Department’s research, as well as to receive updates from our students, staff, and alumni, follow this blog, like us on Facebook, and subscribe to our Twitter feed.

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