The four UK higher education funding bodies, working with the REF Main Panel Chairs and Advisory Panel members, have appointed chairs and deputy chairs for the 34 expert sub-panels that will assess research in REF 2029.
Congratulations to Zoe Davies, Professor of Biodiversity Conservation, who has been appointed as Deputy Chair of sub-panel 7: Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences.
The panel chairs and deputy chairs will lead their units of assessment through the criteria setting phase, beginning later this year, and on through to the final assessment. They are now working to appoint their full panels, ensuring that membership reflects the full range of required expertise. These appointments will be announced in summer 2025.
REF Director Rebecca Fairbairn said: “I’m delighted to welcome this outstanding group to lead the REF 2029 sub-panels. Their deep expertise and broad perspectives will be central to building an assessment process that is fair, rigorous, and trusted by the research community. We have been working in partnership with the sector throughout this process, and I’m grateful to everyone who expressed interest – your engagement is what strengthens the credibility and value of the REF across our research landscape.”