What is the PCE Pilot?
Announced in January 2024, the PCE Pilot aims to use the findings from the PCE indicators project to explore the practicality of submission and assessment of various elements of PCE. The Pilot is being delivered by the REF team, under the governance of the four UK funding bodies through the REF Steering Group.
The pilot involves volunteer higher education institutions (HEIs) completing PCE submissions across a selection of units of assessment. The participating HEIs will produce an institutional level submission, alongside one or more subject level submissions for the selected pilots UoAs:
- Allied Health Professions, Dentistry, Nursing and Pharmacy (UoA 3)
- Biological Sciences (UoA 5)
- Earth Systems and Environmental Science (UoA 7)
- Computer Science and Informatics (UoA 11)
- Business and Management Studies (UoA 17)
- Social Work and Social Policy (UoA 20)
- History (UoA 28)
- Music, Drama, Dance, Performing Arts, Film and Screen Studies (UoA 33)
These submissions will be assessed by expert peer review panels, and we will use their findings to develop the REF 2029 guidance on submissions and assessment processes.
For further information on the development of the pilot, please see this blog.
Which HEIs are participating?
The pilot includes institutions from across the whole of the UK. HEIs were recruited through an open call for expressions of interest and selected to represent a broad range of different institution types and strategic missions.
How will HEI submissions be assessed?
Submissions will be assessed by eight subject-level assessment panels and an institution-level panel. PCE panellists were appointed through an open recruitment process. Please see the panel roles and their terms of reference for further information.
What governance structures are in place?
Both the PCE indicators project and the PCE Pilot will be overseen by the REF Steering Group. The REF 2029 Advisory Panels will also be engaged to provide expert advice on both projects as required.
Will the results of the Pilot be published?
The PCE pilot submission and assessment phases are scheduled to conclude in summer 2025. After assessment, there will be a period of debrief and reflection, with pilot HEIs set to receive confidential feedback on their submissions. A final report for the pilot will be published on the REF website. Please see the PCE timetable for more information.
What other opportunities are available?
Your input is important to the development of PCE assessment. Please look out for opportunities to engage through the PCE indicators project. In addition, we will to keep the wider community informed through updates to the REF website and through online engagement events, discussing issues and learning involved in the pilot process. To make sure you see any updates straight away you can subscribe to REF email updates and follow us on LinkedIn, X/Twitter or Bluesky.