University of Liverpool Executive Pro-Vice-Chancellor confirmed for REF 2029 main panels

Professor Louise Kenny has been appointed as chair of one of the four Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2029 main panels.

Professor Kenny will provide leadership and guidance to the Medicine, Health and Life Sciences sub-panel that undertake the REF assessment. The REF is the UK’s system for assessing the excellence of research in UK higher education providers.

Her chairship will see her undertake an ambassadorial role for REF 2029 in the sector. In her role she will also work to advise on the development and delivery of the exercise, providing advice to the REF team and Steering Group. Professor Kenny will also play a key role in recruiting and developing the REF main panels and sub-panels, for which applications will be opening soon.

Professor Louise Kenny said: “I’m honoured to have been invited to serve as chair. 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.”

Professor Tim Jones, Vice-Chancellor at the University of Liverpool said: “As Executive Pro Vice Chancellor of the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Professor Kenny’s leadership and vision is central to the delivery of the University’s wide-ranging, world-leading academic research. With her vast experience and knowledge, she will make an invaluable contribution as panel Chair, and we’re incredibly proud that Louise is taking on this significant role.”

Sector leaders have been appointed to chair the four, broad REF 2029 main panels. In addition to Professor Kenny, they are:

• Physical Sciences, Engineering and Mathematics
  Professor Tom Rodden, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Research & Knowledge Exchange, University of Nottingham

• Social Sciences
  Professor Jane Falkingham, VP Engagement and International, University of Southampton 

• Arts and Humanities
  Professor Greg Walker, Regius Professor of Rhetoric and English Literature, University of Edinburgh

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.”

More info about the REF

The Research Excellence Framework (REF) is the UK’s system for assessing the excellence of research in UK higher education providers (HEIs). The REF outcomes are used to inform the allocation of around £2 billion per year of public funding for universities’ research.

The REF was first carried out in 2014, replacing the previous Research Assessment Exercise. Research England manages the REF on behalf of all four UK higher education funding bodies:

• Research England
• Scottish Funding Council
• Medr, Wales’ Commission for Tertiary Education and Research
• Department for the Economy, Northern Ireland

The funding bodies’ shared policy aim for research assessment is to secure a world-class, dynamic and responsive research base across the full academic spectrum within UK higher education.