News

White Rose University Consortium partners, the universities of Leeds, Sheffield and York are in the elite of UK research intensive universities, according to the latest Research Assessment Exercise.

The RAE is a detailed indication of the quality of British research which will be used as the framework for the annual allocation of more than £1.5bn of public funding to universities

All three of the universities have increased their ratings, with the trio all ranked among the top 15 of over 100 UK universities. This highlights the combined strength of the universities’ research base and the critical mass of expertise in Yorkshire.

Since the last RAE in 2001, White Rose has secured in excess of £50 million additional funding for collaborative initiatives across the three universities, in support of research, knowledge transfer and learning and teaching activities. These include the formation of the White Rose Health Innovation Partnership, the creation of the National Science Learning Centre and the White Rose East Asia Centre all examples of how combining research strengths can impact positively on the region and beyond.

“The RAE provides independent acknowledgement of the strengths of our research base – and its ability to play an important role in the regional and national economy,” says White Rose Chief Executive Dr Julian White. “Increasingly we are developing new strategic international partnerships, which will lead to enhanced activity and significant new funding opportunities.”

Such strong results consolidate the White Rose partnership as a key driver of regional economic development within a national and international context. They also demonstrate why working with White Rose universities appeals to businesses both at home and abroad.

Professor Brian Cantor, Chair of White Rose says: “The results clearly illustrate White Rose’s excellence across the board, strengths which put us in a unique position to continue our vital role in the regional and national economy, and which will help us to expand our collaborations with international partners.”

Further information from
Jo Kelly, campuspr, Tel 0113 258 9880, email jokelly@campuspr.co.uk