UK REF environment statements at unit level ‘should be scrapped’

Removing the more detailed unit level statements will allow for more manipulation and hogwash. Of course the "expert" panel will recommend this. You might as well remove the need for an environment statement. This will allow even more game playing mark my words but of course who cares...? If cost is the problem then get rid of the REF altogether. If leaders had any vision and management skills the university information systems would already capture these things on a continous basis as these are critical for assessing progress against your own strategies. it shouldnt be somethign that you just do for the REF and in anycase It should not be a mad scramble to produce these reports towards the end of the REF cycle. If anything, one should make it even more detailed for example you should include staff surveys (just like you have the PRES) as a part of the REF evaluation and pay close attention to unit level feedback.

The REF "should be scrapped"* *...corrected that for you ;)