Nineteen academics are appointed as expert panellists for the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2029.
University of Birmingham research expertise is reflected in REF panel appointments
University of Birmingham academics have been appointed as expert panellists for the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2029.
Appointment as a REF panellist recognises academic excellence and reflects the strength, diversity and ambition of research conducted at the University of Birmingham, whose 19 REF panellists are:
We’re delighted to see so many of our academics appointed as panellists for REF 2029 – underscoring the reputation and impact of our outstanding researchers. These brilliant colleagues are working at the forefront of their disciplines - mirroring our clear focus on delivering highly impactful research that changes the way our world works and improves the lives of people across the globe.
Professor Rachel K. O’Reilly MBE, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research) at the University of Birmingham said: “We’re delighted to see so many of our academics appointed as panellists for REF 2029 – underscoring the reputation and impact of our outstanding researchers.
“These brilliant colleagues are working at the forefront of their disciplines - mirroring our clear focus on delivering highly impactful research that changes the way our world works and improves the lives of people across the globe.”
The REF is a national assessment carried out by the UK’s four higher education funding organisations every seven years to evaluate the standard and broader impact of research in the country’s higher education institutions.
This national assessment helps to ensure research quality across the breadth of the UK’s universities and assesses the impact of this multi-disciplinary work, informing accountability and future funding and public investment.
University of Birmingham academics have been appointed to a diverse array of roles across the four main REF panels, which cover the following disciplinary areas:
The panel work for REF 2029 is divided into three stages: criteria setting, submission, and assessment. The first phase involves setting the criteria for how the research will be assessed. In the second phase, Higher Education Institutions prepare their submissions for assessment, whilst the final phase sees panel members evaluate these submissions to determine the final outcomes of REF 2029.
REF 2021 concluded that the University of Birmingham is one of the best universities in the country, ranking the University equal 10th amongst Russell Group universities and equal 13th in the whole UK. This year’s QS World University Rankings place Birmingham at 76th – a rise of four places on last year’s position.
For more information, please contact the University of Birmingham press office on or +44 (0) 121 414 2772.
The University of Birmingham is ranked amongst the world’s top 100 institutions, its work brings people from across the world to Birmingham, including researchers and teachers and more than 8,000 international students from over 150 countries.
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:
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.
Pro-Vice Chancellor (Research)
Professor Rachel O'Reilly is Chair in Chemistry at the School of Chemistry. She leads the O'Reilly Group whose research targets the design, synthesis and application of uniquely derived polymeric materials.
