The Hidden REF began as a one-off national competition in 2020 with the goal of celebrating all research outputs and everyone who is involved in their creation. It has since become a widely recognised campaign which is changing research culture by increasing awareness of the vital role of not-traditionally submitted outputs (NTOs) and hidden roles in the UK and beyond.

The Research Excellence Framework (REF) has an incredible ability to shape research culture, but it is limited by the way in which Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) interpret its guidelines. Although the REF actively encourages the submission of a wide range of outputs that are vital to research, and has done so since at least 2008, HEIs remain highly sceptical that NTOs will be assessed fairly and competitively. Traditionally HEIs have judged research success, value and excellence almost exclusively on the basis of publications (i.e. books or scholarly articles): 97% of outputs submitted to REF2014 were publications. This increased to 98% for REF2021. The REF’s parallel focus on impact case studies and the research environment has not noticeably increased the status of NTOs and hidden roles.

If we rely on publications as the only metric of research success, we overlook many of the not-traditionally submitted outputs and hidden roles that are vital to research.

The Hidden REF Competition is now open for your submissions and provides an opportunity to celebrate and showcase these contributions. This year’s competition includes 25 categories, which have been collected from community suggestions made since 2020.

Submissions will be judged by panels of experts drawn from across the research community as described by our submission and review process and all submissions will be celebrated at an awards ceremony in November. In a change from previous years, our panellists will use their interpretation of the REF guidelines on originality, significance and rigour to assess outputs which will provide the community with an invaluable opportunity to practice writing NTO submissions that could be submitted to the REF.

By taking part in the competition, you will help celebrate the full diversity of outputs that drive research forward, recognise the many roles that are vital to research but overlooked by research organisations, and help us build evidence about assessing outputs and develop a better understanding of inclusive approaches to research recognition.

The deadline for your entries is Sunday 13 September.