Physics success for Scotland in Research Assessment Exercise

Institute of Physics

19 December 2008

The Institute of Physics

In the Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) 2008, three Scottish Physics departments within the Scottish University Physics Alliance (SUPA) were ranked 7th equal or better, led by St Andrews standing at equal 2nd with Cambridge and Nottingham, Edinburgh 6th and Glasgow equal 7th.

Heriot Watt Physics has improved significantly, rising to equal 15th place, on a par with Oxford and Southampton.

Collectively SUPA has more 4* and 3* activity than Cambridge.

Professor Ian Halliday, Chief Executive of SUPA, says, “This success is the result of individual and collective enhancement in Scottish research. It also represents a significant improvement in the RAE process”.

SUPA awaits the final SFC decision on its £48 million investment plans. This will build on the strong foundation of the RAE results.

Professor Halliday continued, “There is a very positive and determined mindset in Scottish physics based on strong collaboration and management which contributed to this successful result.”

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