Royal College of Art
REF Submission

Showcasing research to secure funding.

I oversaw the production of more than 120 academic portfolios for the Royal College of Art’s submission to the Research Excellence Framework.

The challenge.

Working with the RCA’s four schools and various research centres, I led on the compilation and design of portfolio submissions to the REF, which assesses the quality of research across UK higher education institutions for accountability and future funding. The challenge was to ensure that each submission met the standard criteria for assessment while highlighting the unique contributions of each researcher. I worked with a design team and external contractors to present the highly diverse outputs in a structured and consistent manner across the institution. 

The impact.

The outcome of REF submissions determines institutional funding, and thus the quality of submissions is paramount as it affects future research opportunities. Through a streamlined production process and as the main point of contact for deans and individual researchers, I helped to prepare this highly complex digital submission and ensure consistency across the output. The REF was an opportunity for the RCA to showcase the impact of its research across areas as diverse as fine art, inclusive design, biodiversity, healthcare and sustainability.

Hands holding up iPad showing a cover of a RCA REF portfolio

REF2021’s submissions required supporting portfolios to be submitted in addition to a short description for assessment. This was the first time all portfolios were to be submitted digitally and the RCA wanted a consistent way to give panelists a way to identify submissions from the college.

Three covers of RCA REF portfolios shown on iPads

Working with Studio Ard, alumnus of the RCA, a new template was created to meet the RCA’s objective of being able to present a consistent submission from the college as a whole.

The pages of the PDFs were laid out as if you were reading a book.

The pages of the PDFs were laid out as if you were reading a book.

The design was flexible enough so each portfolio felt unique when reading.

The design was flexible enough so each portfolio felt unique when reading.

Content was curated so the two pages worked together.

Content was curated so the two pages worked together.

The layout enabled the work to shine.

The layout enabled the work to shine.

Double page spread of a REF portfolio shown on a laptop

The PDFs created a digital repository for the RCA. This enabled the college to share the impact of their research with the wider world once the REF results are announced.

“The RCA produces a great deal of practice research which needs to be presented and communicated clearly and concisely for the purposes of Research Excellence Framework peer assessment.

An enormous undertaking and I could completely trust that Manpreet and her team were on top of the project.

Manpreet managed the relationships with the external proofreaders and designers to ensure that the RCA contextual information portfolios were high quality and would meet the REF deadline. All key to the successful completion of the project.”

–Christie Walker, Head of Research