Championing Non-Traditional Outputs at the University of Liverpool

Posted on: 23 March 2025 by Marieke Wehner and Natalie Wallis in Blog posts

An image of the back of a person with a ponytail using a piece of white paper and coloured pencil to rub on some bricks
Photo credit - Martina Colova

We (The Outputs Development Team) recently wrote a Research Professional News article outlining the importance of 'non-traditional' outputs (NTOs) and what we are doing at Liverpool to recognise them.

At the University of Liverpool, we recognise that research excellence takes many forms. From digital tools and exhibitions to performances and software, researchers produce innovative work that may not fit traditional categories. While these outputs are widely accepted in some disciplines, others may not fully realise that such work can be submitted as research without needing to be transformed into a conventional paper. As a result, NTOs remain underrepresented in formal research assessments.

A recent Research Professional News article highlights these challenges and how we are addressing them. We want to build a research culture that fully embraces the breadth of academic contributions, ensuring all research is valued and rewarded appropriately.

This is not just about equity, it is about driving innovation and unlocking possibilities in research and benefiting society at large.

Why Do NTOs Matter?

Despite their significance, NTOs made up just 2.4% of submissions to REF 2021. Many researchers hesitate to submit them due to uncertainty around assessment criteria or a lack of institutional support. However, these outputs often have considerable real-world impact and deserve recognition on equal footing with traditional publications. Our goal is to ensure that Liverpool’s researchers feel confident in submitting their full range of work.

Our Support for NTOs

To foster a more inclusive approach to research outputs, we are actively enhancing our support for NTOs:

  • NTO Advisory Board – A dedicated panel of experts providing guidance on assessing and submitting NTOs.
  • Improved Infrastructure – We are updating systems like Liverpool Elements to better accommodate and log NTOs, making the submission process smoother.
  • Guidance & Training – We are developing resources to help researchers understand how to frame and present their NTOs effectively.

Get Involved

If you produce or assess NTOs, we encourage you to engage with the NTO Advisory Board and explore available resources. Support is available from the Outputs Development Team (email: outputs@liverpool.ac.uk), and you can access further information via the Outputs Development Hub.

Additionally, more detailed guidance on NTOs specifically can be found here.

By working together, we can ensure that the University of Liverpool fully reflects the diversity of research contributions and provides the best possible support for all our academics.

Mareike Wehner is the senior outputs development manager at the University of Liverpool. Natalie Wallis is the outputs development manager at the University of Liverpool.