Published: 11 November 2026
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Panel competence to do business
Each main, sub-panel, advisory panel and the IL SPRE Panel will consider, confirm and document its competence to do business at the start of each assessment meeting, taking into consideration the range of expertise as well as the numbers of panel members present.
Where there is a foreseen absence of a sub-panel chair at a main panel meeting, the main panel chair will consider whether it requires the attendance of the deputy sub-panel chair in order to be competent to do business. Attendance of the deputy sub-panel chair at main panel meetings will only be allowed in this case, and at the discretion of the main panel chair.
Dealing with absences of the chair
Each main panel, sub-panel and advisory panel chair chose (a) deputy chair(s) for planned and unforeseen absences of the chair, and in cases where there is a disqualifying conflict of interest for the chair. The IL SPRE Panel Chair will likewise choose a deputy for the same reasons once full recruitment of the IL SPRE Panel is complete. In the absence of the chair, the deputy will chair meetings of the panel. Where both the chair and deputy declare a conflict of interest in the same institution, the panel will nominate one of the remaining members to officiate in that instance.
Conflicts of interest
All REF main panel, sub-panel, IL SPRE Panel and advisory panel chairs, members, assessors, observers, secretaries and advisors will observe the arrangements for managing potential conflicts of interest set out in Annex E: Managing conflicts of interest in the Panel criteria.
Confidentiality arrangements
All REF main panel, sub-panel, IL SPRE Panel and advisory panel chairs, members, assessors, secretaries, advisors, observers, external advisors, and consultants, and their named delegates as agreed with the REF Director, are bound by the terms set out in Annex F: Confidentiality and information security agreement in the Panel criteria. These arrangements have been put in place to enable the effective management and operation of the REF, and for the protection of panel members.
Data protection
All REF main panel, sub-panel, IL SPRE Panel and advisory panel chairs, members, assessors, secretaries, advisors, observers, external advisors, and consultants, and their named delegates as agreed with the REF Director, shall ensure that personal data is kept securely, maintained confidentially and used only for the purposes set out in the Guidance on Submissions and the Panel Criteria and Working Methods. All personal data is subject to the relevant data protection legislation and all persons storing, handling or processing personal data for the REF shall adhere to the principles and requirements set out in the relevant data protection legislation.