Committee considered the Roberts report, and took a more optimistic view, asserting that, "the RAE had had positive effects: it had stimulated universities into managing their research and had ensured that funds were targeted at areas of research excellence", it concluded that "there had been a marked improvement in universities' research performance". Nevertheless, it argued that "the RAE in its present form had had its day", and proposed a reformed RAE, largely based on Roberts' recommendations. Planned changes to RAE system It was announced in the 2006 Budget that after the 2008 exercise a system of metrics would be developed in order to inform future allocations of QR funding. Following initial consultation with the higher education sector, it is thought that the Higher Education Funding Councils will introduce a metrics based system of assessment for subjects in science, technology, engineering and medicine. A process of peer review is likely to remain for mathematics, statistics, arts, humanities and social studies subjects. HEFCE has developed a new set of arrangements, known as the Research Excellence Framework (REF), which has been introduced as a follow on to the 2008 RAE. References Further reading External links Links to 2008 League Tables (The Independent) Links to 2008 League Tables (Research Fortnight) Links to 2008 League Tables (Guardian) 2001 RAE Institution Ranking (Guardian) Official RAE website for 2008 exercise Archived RAE website for 2001 exercise Higher education in the United Kingdom Public bodies and task forces of the United Kingdom government Research in the United Kingdom Research management Science policy