Research

Our School submitted to Unit of Assessment 4 (Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience) in the REF2021 exercise.  We were ranked 10th in the UK (2^nd in Scotland) overall, and 4^th in the UK (1^st in Scotland) for Research Output. 

The REF panel found that 91% of our Research Output was world leading or internationally excellent in terms of scientific rigour, originality and significance. This was based on the submission of 124 academic articles from 49.5 FTE staff, representing the work of 54 research active colleagues. Our researchers doubled their research income from UK Charities and the EU Government during the REF2021 period which contributed to an overall increase in our total income by 30%. These activities are underpinned by our vibrant Research Environment, which was judged to be 100% internationally excellent or world-leading by the REF panel.  Within this REF period we also secured UKRI funding for an Interdisciplinary AI Centre for Doctoral Training, in collaboration with Computing Science, adding to the School’s multidisciplinary culture, extended network of research collaborations and external partners and to our vibrant PhD community.

In terms of Impact, we submitted four Impact Case Studies to REF2021, which were rated to be 100% internationally excellent or world-leading.  This impact work has informed NICE guidelines and resulted in significant changes to treatment approaches in psychiatry as well as stroke.

Overall these results reflect the cutting-edge nature of our research activities and the hard work of our academic and postgraduate researchers as well as the professional staff across  the School of Psychology and Neuroscience and the Institute for Health and Wellbeing, including our four Research Centres – Centre for Cognitive Neuroimaging (CCNi); Centre for Neuroscience (CfN); Centre for Social, Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience (cSCAN); and the Centre for Mental Health and Wellbeing (MHW). This places us in an excellent position for our ongoing ambitions to produce research and teaching of the highest quality and with positive societal impact.