We are pleased to announce the chairs of the four REF 2029 main panels.
The main panels will provide leadership and guidance to the sub-panels that undertake the REF assessment. The chairs also undertake an ambassadorial role for REF 2029 in the sector. They will work to advise on the development and delivery of the exercise, providing advice to the REF team and Steering Group. They will also play a key role in recruiting and developing the REF main panels and sub-panels, for which applications will be opening soon.
REF Director Rebecca Fairbairn said:
“I am delighted to announce REF 2029 main panel chairs with such broad experience and deep knowledge. They will be of huge value to the REF team, the REF Steering Group and the sector as we continue to develop the exercise, and I am grateful for their enthusiasm and commitment.”
We have appointed sector leaders to chair the four, broad REF 2029 main panels:
Main Panel A: Medicine, Health and Life Sciences
Professor Louise Kenny CBE, Executive Pro-Vice-Chancellor, University of Liverpool
“I’m honoured to have been invited to serve as chair of Main Panel A. The UK is widely acknowledged as a global leader in research innovation in health and life sciences and this is largely driven by the efforts of the university sector. REF provides our government, our funders and, most importantly, the population we serve with confidence that we are funding world-class and impactful research for public benefit throughout the country. I am delighted to have joined the team and I am looking forward to getting started.”
Photo credit: University of Liverpool photography
Main Panel B: Physical Sciences, Engineering and Mathematics
Professor Tom Rodden, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Research & Knowledge Exchange, University of Nottingham
“I am delighted to be appointed as chair of REF 2029 Main Panel B. The Research Excellence Framework is an important part of the research landscape allowing us to capture and reflect the fantastic research undertaken across our universities and the impact it has on the UK. I look forward to working closely with colleagues to help guide the process.”
Photo credit: University of Nottingham
Main Panel C: Social Sciences
Professor Jane Falkingham, VP Engagement and International, University of Southampton
“I am honoured to be invited to act as chair of Main Panel C for the forthcoming REF. The REF is an essential component of our research funding ecosystem, providing vital support for academics to pursue independent research alongside valuable insights into the health of our disciplines. I especially welcome the new emphasis on research culture in REF 2029 and look forward to working with colleagues to deliver a fair, transparent, and robust assessment for all the disciplines within Panel C.“
Photo credit: University of Southampton
Main Panel D: Arts and Humanities
Professor Greg Walker, Regius Professor of Rhetoric and English Literature, University of Edinburgh
“It is both a great honour and a great responsibility to be asked to chair Main Panel D for REF 2029. This will be my fourth UK research assessment exercise as either a panellist or chair, and I cannot remember a more challenging period for UK HE. In that context I am relishing the opportunity the role will provide to experience and celebrate the full range and depth of research across the arts and humanities and the wider social benefits it generates.”
Photo credit: University of Edinburgh