Today the UK funding bodies have published the results of the UK’s most recent national research assessment exercise, the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021. Research from the Mathematical Institute and the Department of Statistics in Oxford was submitted together under Unit of Assessment 10. Overall, 78% of our submission was judged to be 4* (the highest score available, for research quality that is world-leading in terms of originality, significance, and rigour).
Among the highlights of the research impact case studies we submitted are:
- the use of rough path theory to improve the effectiveness of machine learning in Chinese handwritten character recognition for mobile phones
- the use of homogenisation theory and asymptotic analysis in the mathematical modelling of filtration to improve the effectiveness of filters in both commercial applications and the removal of arsenic in groundwater contamination
- statistical analysis of Covid-19 epidemiological data in the early days of the pandemic, including the statistical design and analysis of REACT studies for the assessment of community transmission.
Oxford × QRT Labs welcomes first DPhil cohort and announces new Director
The University of Oxford has welcomed the first cohort of DPhil students to Oxford × QRT Labs, part of a long-term research initiative between Qube Research & Technologies (QRT) and the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge and Imperial College London.
Applications for postgraduate study are now open for 2027–28 entry
Postgraduate study at Oxford Statistics offers the chance to work across a broad range of research, from statistical theory and methodology, probability and machine learning to applications in areas including genetics, epidemiology, computational biology, finance and the social sciences.
Tom Rainforth awarded full Professorial title
Tom Rainforth has been awarded the title of Professor of Statistical Machine Learning and, as of 1 September 2026, is also a Fellow of Jesus College.