On 12 May 2022 the results of the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 were published. The Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures is extremely pleased to report that research in Modern Languages at Royal Holloway has been judged to be of the highest quality. We are placed at 5th in the country in the subject ranking published by the Times Higher Education Supplement, based on overall research (calculated by Grade Point Average).
A picture of the Emily Wilding Davison building at night.
We are also very pleased with the scoring we achieved in the categories of Research Outputs, Impact, and Environment, whilst 96% of our research overall, which also includes our work in Comparative Literature and Cultures, was rated as either three-star (internationally excellent) or four-star (world-leading).
It is particularly pleasing that 75% of our Research Impact has been judged to be four-star, placing the Department among the leading Languages units in this respect. We believe that this affirms our commitment to world-leading research that has a real and meaningful impact in society, and also on our students, whose teaching is shaped by the innovative research our staff carry out. Drawing on our strengths in visual cultures across geographical and linguistic boundaries, our two impact case studies – led by Dr Ruth Hemus and Professor Eric Robertson – showcase our expertise in the art and literature of the avant-garde.
We are delighted with the outcome, which reflects our strength in depth and the broad range of our research activities, and reflects Royal Holloway’s continued commitment to research-led teaching in Modern Languages.