Essex academics selected to support REF 2029

A total of eight Essex academics have been appointed to panels to support the UK’s upcoming assessment of research impact and quality – the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2029.

The appointments for the criteria-setting phase of REF 2029 follow a rigorous and open recruitment process by the UK’s four higher education funding bodies with a highly qualified and diverse group of experts being chosen across all 34 Units of Assessment (UoAs). 

REF 2029 is the UK’s system for assessing the excellence of research in universities and the outcomes will be used to inform the allocation of around £2 billion per year of public funding for universities’ research. The main panels for REF 2029 provide leadership and guidance to a group of sub-panels. The sub-panels review submissions according to a set of assessment criteria and level definitions.

Essex-based academics selected as sub panel members and sub panel members for the assessment phase include Professor Nelson Cortes, Dr Brandon Shaw and Dr Ina Shaw from the School of Sport, Rehabilitation and Exercise Sciences, Professor Robert Taylor from Essex Business School, Professor Eamonn Carrabine and Dr Laurie James-Hawkins from the Department of Sociology and Criminology, Professor Lorna Fox O’Mahony from Essex Law School, and Professor Hannah Gibson from the Department of Language and Linguistics. Full details are published on the REF 2029 website.

The REF team is bringing panel members on board so that, following the pause announced this week, criteria setting can begin as soon as the framework has been finalised.

Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research Professor Chris Greer said: “It is wonderful to see so many Essex colleagues step up and be chosen to shape the upcoming REF. It shows the strength of the academic community at Essex and our commitment to supporting high-quality research. REF 2029 is incredibly important in showing how high-quality UK research delivers huge benefits to wider society and global impact. There are further rounds of recruitment for panels and we hope to play our full part in the process in the coming years.”

REF Director Rebecca Fairbairn said: “It’s been a privilege to work with the sector bodies and panel chairs on this new, open recruitment approach. I’m grateful for their insight and leadership throughout the process. It’s been inspiring to see the depth, strength, and commitment of the UK’s research community, and I’m very much looking forward to welcoming the new panel members to the team.”

From medicine, health and life sciences to the social sciences, and physical sciences, engineering and mathematics to the arts and humanities, the calibre of applicants was outstanding, underlining the enormous strength of UK research. Each panel member will have a key role in shaping the REF to support the higher education sector by providing a rigorous, trusted assessment of UK research. 

The panel appointments reflect both the strength and diversity of the UK research community, including professional services staff, technicians, librarians, and others whose expertise underpins research excellence. There is strong representation from beyond academia, including over two dozen panellists from industry, policy, and third sector organisations.

Several People, Culture and Environment (PCE) pilot panellists have been selected who will be able to build on the valuable lessons from the pilot. Some panel chairs have also appointed members to serve across multiple Units of Assessment, supporting consistency and effective handling of interdisciplinarity, in addition to the work of the REF 2029 Research Diversity Advisory Panel (RDAP). 

For the first time, panel members were appointed through an open application process, rather than by nomination, designed to reduce barriers and attract a broader, more inclusive pool of candidates. This approach was shaped through collaboration with sector bodies and the REF 2029 People and Diversity Advisory Panel (PDAP), helping to ensure that panels command the trust and confidence of their research communities. 

Further targeted recruitment for additional panel members and assessors will take place at a later date, based on insights from the survey of submission intentions and any identified need to broaden panel experience. As in REF 2021, some assessment-phase panel members have been appointed early, where sub-panel chairs identified clear need and relevant expertise within the candidate pool.