The unseen disciplinary divide: insights from REF data
基于英国REF数据，研究发现艺术人文学科在评估中持续处于劣势，而罗素集团大学在资源密集型领域优势明显，揭示标准化评估框架与多元知识生产模式之间的根本错位。
This quantitative study of the UK Research Excellence Framework (REF) reveals persistent disciplinary inequities between the 2014 and 2021 cycles. Key findings include: (1) At the macro level, the differences between REF 2014 and REF 2021 show a narrowing trend; however, disparities in high star (4*+3*) outputs persist across the main panels, with the arts and humanities disadvantaged relative to the physical sciences. (2) The apparent correlation between journal article shares and high-star shares is disciplinary rather than merit-based, disappearing once panel effects are controlled, indicating a systematic disadvantage for non-traditional outputs typical of Humanities and Social Sciences; (3) Russell Group universities hold a consistent advantage, most evident in resource-intensive fields, illustrating how concentrated resources sustain success. These results reveal a fundamental misalignment between the REF’s standardized framework and diverse models of knowledge production. Consequently, technical reforms alone cannot ensure equity; achieving it requires flexible evaluation paradigms that genuinely honor disciplinary diversity.