Research in Cornwall rated as ‘World Leading”

Results from the 2008 Government’s Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) have illustrated the consistent improvements in the quality of research within the South West region. The results of the RAE assessments will be used to assess how £1.5 billion of research funding will be distributed amongst UK universities in the forthcoming year. In particular research from Cornwall has been judged to be world leading (4 star), internationally excellent (3 star), recognised internationally (2 star) or recognised nationally (1 star). Exeter University, a CUC partner has also been noted as a “rising star” among research –intensive institutions by the Times Higher Education magazine. Over 75% of at University College Falmouth have gained international recognition for excellence in the RAE, with Art & Design at Falmouth and Drama, Dance & Performing Arts at Dartington scoring highly. Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry are becoming increasingly close to their original objective of being within top 50% of research in its chosen specialisms by 2015, seven years ahead of schedule. The University of Plymouth has also achieved exceptional scores, putting Plymouth in the top 50 of UK universities*. The Wave Hub initiative in North Cornwall will benefit significantly from the research that is being conducted into this project by the Peninsula Research Institute for Marine Renewable Energy, a joint project with the University of Exeter (*Research Fortnight league table). Professor Alan Livingston, chair of the CUC has stated that the quality of these recent results has enhanced the development of a knowledge-based economy and hopes that it will help to put Cornwall on the map as an International centre of excellence for research.