Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) 2008

RAE results confirm world-class social science research at Southampton

Research in the School of Social Sciences has been given excellent ratings in the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE). Across the School, more than 50% of the research was judged to be either internationally excellent (3*) or world-leading (4*). All of our units of assessment improved upon their performance in the last (2001) RAE. Three out of five units of assessment were ranked highly in their subject group, according to their grade point average: Social Policy (which includes Sociology, Demography, and Gerontology) ranked 3rd; Statistics and Operational Research ranked 9th; and Economics and Econometrics, ranked 11th. In addition Politics and International Relations and  Social Work Studies both consolidated their positions with at least one-third of research judged to be “internationally excellent” or higher.

The Head of School, Professor Tony McGrew, commented, ’These are an excellent set of results for the School and confirm its position as one of the leading centres of research in the Social Sciences in the UK. It is an outstanding achievement for all the staff involved and recognition of their work over many years. Moreover it demonstrates that Southampton is a comprehensive University increasingly recognized for its research across a wide range of subject areas. And the School is clearly delighted that its success has contributed to the University’s overall position in the top tier of research institutions’.

The University itself has maintained its place in the group of top research universities, standing around 13th or 14th in the UK. Across the University, in 27 of the 33 subject areas over 50% of the research submitted was considered of internationally excellent or world-leading quality.

For more details about the the Research Assessment Exercise please see the School of Social Sciences results.