We explore some initial results from 2021/2021 World 100 research project from the first audience surveyed, global academics

This week saw the long-awaited publication of the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 results, more than seven years since the last exercise (REF 2014). Undertaken by representative higher education funding bodies of the four nations of the UK, it the most comprehensive evaluation of the research impact of UK universities.

We will be running two seminars for our members where we will present key findings from our 2020/2021 research project, The Reputation Opportunity, and give members the opportunity to join the discussion.

The general public was one of the focuses of the World 100 Network annual research project, just published, which set out to understand whether the high profile of academic faculty during the pandemic has led to institution reputational benefit.

The World 100 research project for 2020/2021 will explore how universities have used the visibility of Covid-19 research to build profile.

The W100 International Reputation Tracker, this year’s network research project, is continuing with the survey of Resources and Structures still open for members to complete, and a new survey of global education agents now opening.

Our Head of Global Network Development explores University communicators’ crucial role in pandemic response and looks at the data from our COVID19 tracker

The next W100 annual research project kicks off in January, with the launch of the first surveys for the International Reputation Tracker pilot. Most W100 members are taking an active role in the project to develop new ways of measuring reputation internationally beyond the rankings.

W100 members recently received the final report of the 'Riding the Tiger: Enhancing the Role of Reputation in international partnerships' research project. The report reflects key findings that international partnerships provide great opportunities – often under-exploited at present – to build global profile; whilst also presenting a risk that they will turn around and bite you if partners suffer reputational damage.

The World 100 Reputation Network set out to explore approaches to online communications at top global universities. The research explores budgets, teams, in-house capacity, outsourcing, approaches to monitoring and evaluating digital communications, policies and guidelines, internal training and more.

The World 100 Reputation Network set out to explore approaches to online communications at top global universities. The research explores budgets, teams, in-house capacity, outsourcing, approaches to monitoring and evaluating digital communications, policies and guidelines, internal training and more.

New research by the World 100 Reputation Network (W100) shows that most universities are not adequately preparing for the reputation risks associated with international partnerships.