The results of the Higher Education Funding Council for England pilot, showing how the assessment of research's socio-economic impact can be incorporated into the REF, are to be welcomed. It is clear from the work that has already been done that the assessment of impact will be a good deal more transparent, relevant and equitable than the assessment of esteem - the criterion it replaces - ever was.
Geoff Rodgers, Pro vice-chancellor (research), Brunel University.