Cambridge University’s Faculty of Philosophy and Department of History and Philosophy of Science would like to thank and congratulate everyone involved — lecturers, postdoctoral researchers, administrators, librarians, college fellows and many others — for their roles in an outstandingly successful 2021 REF (Research Excellence Framework) submission.
This was the first jointly-presented submission from these two institutions. It also featured the work of Cambridge’s Leverhulme Centre for the Future of Intelligence, and the Centre for the Study of Existential Risk. Over half of the overall submission was awarded the highest possible rating of 4*, indicating ‘Quality that is world-leading in terms of originality, significance and rigour’. The submission performed exceptionally well in the research ‘environment’ component, which measures the vitality and sustainability of the environment supporting research and impact. This element received a quality profile of 85% at 4*. Set alongside the second place nationally in the Times Higher Education’s (THE’s) ‘Research Power’ rankings, these results illustrate the strength and breadth of Cambridge’s offering. And our six Impact Case Studies — four of which received 4* evaluations — are testimony to the broad reach of our researchers’ work beyond academia. They demonstrate the impact of philosophy, and the history of science, in everything from the design of computer games to the regulation of artificial intelligence, from the law of civil partnerships to the role of wellbeing in public policy. Once again, congratulations to all involved on this recognition for seven years of invaluable research.