Northumbria University has left the University Alliance mission group, a move said to be prompted by the institution¡¯s jump up the league table in the 2014 research excellence framework.

The institution¡¯s decision is thought to stem from a desire to orient itself as a more research-focused university.

Northumbria, whose vice-chancellor is Andrew Wathey, was ranked 50th on research power in the REF, up from 80th in the 2008 research assessment exercise.

A Northumbria spokeswoman said the decision to leave the alliance ¨C which was effective from 1?May but was never announced ¨C ¡°reflects the future direction of Northumbria University identified in its strategy¡±.

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She continued: ¡°We see high-quality research as an integral part of the university¡¯s future, driving success across the full range of our activities. This has been, and will continue to be, our position.¡±

The spokeswoman said that Northumbria had ¡°valued our engagement with the University Alliance and will continue to support arguments made by the alliance where they align to our own position¡±.

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Steve West, University Alliance chair and vice-chancellor of the University of the West of England, said that the group¡¯s institutions aspire to make a difference to their cities and regions. ¡°Our strengths lie in high-quality teaching and research with real-world impact; and we use these, together with our close links with industry and the professions and our global partnerships to transform lives and deliver growth.

¡°Collectively, we seek to shape higher education and research policy for the benefit of our students and business and civic partners.¡±

He added:?¡°Members are free to pursue strategies that veer from this mission and, as such, our membership is dynamic. We are comfortable with this.¡±

Other University Alliance members performed at similar levels to Northumbria in the REF. Plymouth University was ranked at 47th on research power, while Oxford Brookes University was ranked?57th.

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john.morgan@tesglobal.com