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Queen Mary's Faculty of Science and Engineering celebrates its REF success

Queen Mary University of London has excelled in the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021, being ranked joint 7th in the UK for the quality of its research. This confirms once again the University’s status as one of the best research-intensive universities in the UK.

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Two people talking in a video call

In Queen Mary’s Faculty of Science and Engineering, we are proud to celebrate the outstanding REF results. Our distinctive, curiosity-driven research is recognised all over the world with 97% of science and engineering research output assessed as internationally excellent with almost half considered to be world-leading. 

 In Engineering, Queen Mary is now ranked 2nd in the UK for the quality of our research outputs and 7th overall. Our Computer Science and Informatics is ranked 8th in the country, 5th in research power and joint first for impact. Chemistry has gone up 21 positions to 8th in the UK for impact, whilst Biological Sciences has moved up 15 positions to 13th in the country. Across all subjects in Science and Engineering, Queen Mary University of London shows an impressive upward trajectory with increased research quality and power.   

We are particularly proud of the significant impact our research has in making a difference to lives and wider society, and the recognition of this through the recently published results. Our research has informed policy on biodegradable plastics, nuclear waste, water quality and pollution; advised on antimalarial interventions and better value electricity for homes; developed innovative new materials including biomaterials improving the lives of 100s of thousands of people; and transformed and led innovation in audio production.   

Our strong REF performance and leading position on social mobility, re-affirms our research and educational excellence and demonstrates our commitment to being the most inclusive research-intensive university in the world. In Queen Mary’s Faculty of Science and Engineering our research underpins our passion to deliver world-class education and to nurture the next generation of leaders. 

Professor Wen Wang, Queen Mary's Vice-Principal and Executive Dean for Science and Engineering, said:  

"I'm extremely proud of our achievements and the strong community that we have built to support and deliver outstanding research. The results are a further testament to our research excellence and a recognition of our vibrant, inclusive and thriving research community.   

The Faculty is going from strength to strength supported by our strong investment in research and growth in our strategic research themes. Together we will continue to drive innovation, develop technology and make important discoveries that will benefit society, improve lives and address global challenges." 

Read more about our Strategic Research Themes: 

Environment, biodiversity and genomics 

Social interaction, health and wellbeing 

Engineering better medicine 

AI & Data Modelling

Green Energy  

Fundamental discovery science   

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