UK universities are widely using generative AI to prepare submissions for the Research Excellence Framework (REF), the system that determines the allocation of £2 billion in annual public research funding.
A new national report led by the University of Bristol reveals that while many institutions are quietly deploying these tools to gain a competitive edge, the sector lacks consistent governance or national oversight.
The findings show a “disparate level and nature of usage,” with some universities leveraging AI to craft impact stories and others developing in-house tools to streamline internal assessment processes.
“GenAI could be a game-changer for national-level research assessment, helping to create a more efficient and equitable playing field,” said lead author Richard Watermeyer, Professor of Higher Education at the University of Bristol.
“Although there is a lot of vocal opposition to the incorporation of it into the REF, our report uncovers how GenAI tools are nevertheless being widely – if currently, quietly – used, and that expectation of their use by REF panellists is high.”
Profiting from AI tools
The report investigated usage at 16 higher education institutions, finding that the extent to which universities can profit from these tools is closely linked to their financial resources and local expertise.
This disparity risks creating an uneven playing field where wealthier institutions can develop bespoke systems while others rely on generic public tools.
Despite the widespread adoption, a survey of nearly 400 academics and professional services staff revealed significant scepticism.
Between 54 per cent and 75 per cent of respondents strongly disagreed with using GenAI for various aspects of the REF process. Opposition was concentrated in arts, humanities, and social sciences, while professional services staff were generally more enthusiastic.
“We don’t trust them enough in order to really start backing away from conventional tools and supplementing them with AI tools,” one respondent noted.
The report calls for urgent national oversight, recommending a standardised framework and potentially a shared AI platform to ensure equitable access for all institutions.
