University representation on Research Excellence Framework panel

Congratulations go to 16 members of staff who have been selected as panel members for the 2014 Research Excellence Framework (REF).

The REF is the new system for assessing the quality of research in UK universities designed to inform the selective allocation of research funding to institutions, provide benchmarking information and provide accountability for public investment in research.

Alison Fairclough, Head of Research Policy in Planning and Development, said: “The University is well represented, with 16 members covering 15 of the 36 sub-panels. In 2014, sub-panels will be responsible for assessing the submissions from all higher education institutions and will recommend final scores for approval by the four main panels.”

Panel Members:

Professor Ros Smyth, Institute of Translational Medicine

Professor Tom Walley, Institute of Psychology, Health and Society

Professor Sue Higham, Institute of Psychology, Health and Society

Professor Richard Bentall, Institute of Psychology, Health and Society

Professor Peter Clegg, Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease

Professor John Innes, Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease

Professor Matthew Rosseinsky, School of Physical Sciences

Professor Jonathan Cooper, School of Engineering

Professor Simon Pepper, School of the Arts

Professor Jon Tonge, School of Histories, Languages and Cultures

Professor Barry Goldson, School of Law and Social Justice

Professor Sandra Walklate, School of Law and Social Justice

Professor Dinah Birch, School of the Arts

Professor Charles Forsdick, School of Histories, Languages and Cultures

Professor Bruce Gibson, School of Histories, Languages and Cultures

Professor Karen Ross, School of the Arts

Professor Dinah Birch, who will become the Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and Knowledge Exchange at the beginning of April, is Chair of the English Language and Literature sub-panel and a member of one of the main panels.

She said: “I am delighted that staff from all three of our Faculties have been chosen to represent their subject communities in the 2014 REF. It is an excellent opportunity for them to participate in the benchmarking of UK research. Personally I am looking forward to the challenges the new process will bring, particularly around the assessment of the new impact element”

Panels are already starting to meet to discuss the criteria and working methods that will be used to assess the key elements of the REF return – research outputs, impact, and environment. They will then consult with the wider academic community before finalising the criteria, publishing them later this year.