Scrutiny is intensifying around how universities will substantiate narrative research environment claims in REF 2029, after guidance panels raised concerns about “polishing” and auditability. The renamed “strategy, people and research environment” (SPRE) section will account for 20% of an institution’s overall score. Panellists and subject experts are meeting to clarify what evidence can be used for excellence claims and how auditing will work for narrative-driven submissions. The reporting notes that SPRE language is expected to be more qualitative than purely metrics-based alternatives, but that earlier pilots found limited research environment metrics were sufficient without imposing disproportionate data burdens. Senior professors and panellists warn that narratives could become indistinguishable across submissions if institutions use AI or internal editing to produce formulaic language. With roughly £2 billion in annual block grant funding tied to REF results, the audit process is expected to play a central role in whether SPRE claims can be verified.