Three ways to influence REF 2029

While the assessment itself is still some way in the future, there are three things you can do now to influence the 2029 exercise.

1. Apply to be REF Panel Chair

The way REF appoint panels is changing. The EPC is offering to provide a letter of support to suitable candidates for the REF Panel Chair (Panel B). The intention is to encourage applicants from underrepresented groups to put themselves forward and to ensure they are considered on an equal footing. If you qualify for REF Panel Chair (Panel B) and would like the EPC to consider supporting your application, please complete the form below by Friday 13th September. We will be in touch by Friday 20th September.

2. Consider making a REF panel application

The REF team has reshaped the Advisory Panels for REF 2029. They will have a People and Diversity Advisory Panel and a Research Diversity Advisory Panel. The recruitment process for these is well underway and membership will be announced in early October. The process for full expert panel membership will follow later in the year with a focus on the diversity of expert panels. The EPC is likely to offer a similar process to the REF Panel Chair outlined above to provide letters of support.

3. Feedback on the People, Culture an Environment indicators

Complete the REF People, Culture and Environment survey by 13th September. This is a newly expanded element of the exercise, and Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) have already been appointed pilot these indicators over the coming months. If you are involved in the pilot we would love to hear from you.

The EPC Research, Innovation and Knowledge Exchange Committee has already written to the REF Director offering reflections on the survey.

Apply for REF Panel Chair

The EPC is offering to provide a letter of support to suitable candidates for REF Panel Chair (Panel B).

The intention is to support applicants from underrepresented groups to put themselves forward and to be considered on an equal footing.

That means that we are looking to support only a small number of individuals representing a diversity of institutions, disciplines and individual characteristics.

To be supported by the EPC, candidates must meet the specific REF panel criteria (which can be found on the REF website here ) and be able to demonstrate that you would enjoy the confidence of the engineering academic community.

We will consider applications not only on the basis of merit, but also with the aim of achieving a diverse balance of individuals receiving EPC support. Please therefore do not be offended if the EPC does not offer to support you. We would encourage all suitably qualified EPC members to apply and some may be in less need than others of the boost that EPC support might provide.

Please complete this form by Friday 13th September. We will be in touch by Friday 20th September.

Name *

First

Last

Role

Email address

Do you meet the REF Main Panel Chair criteria?

• Yes
• No
• Partially
• Don't know

Why do you think you would have the confidence of engineering academics? (Please keep your response as brief as possible, ideally 75-150 words. Feel free to use bullet points or notes, rather than complete sentences.)

At which of the following types of institutions do you conduct the majority of your work?

• Russell Group
• MillionPlus
• University Alliance
• GuildHE
• Other or unsure of group

Please select one

Do you work in a specialist Engineeering institution?

• Yes
• No
• Prefer not to say

How large is the university at which you conduct the majority of your work, as measured by total enrolled student numbers (undergraduate and postgraduate combined)?

• Large institution – more than 20,000 enrolled students
• Medium-sized institution – 10,000-20,000 enrolled students
• Small institution – fewer than 10,000 enrolled students

Please approximate as closely as you can

How large is the Engineering school / department at which you conduct the majority of your work?

• Large
• Medium-sized
• Small

Please approximate as closely as you can

In which UK region is your university mainly based?

• England: East Midlands
• England: East of England
• England: London
• England: North East
• England: North West
• England: South East
• England: South West
• England: West Midlands
• England: Yorkshire and The Humber
• Northern Ireland
• Scotland
• Wales
• My organisation is virtual and/or does not have one main location (e.g. Open University)

In which disciplines do you work

• General engineering
• Chemical engineering
• Mineral, metallurgy & materials engineering
• Civil engineering
• Electrical, electronic & computer engineering
• Mechanical, aero & production engineering
• IT, systems sciences & computer software engineering
• Interdisciplinary (outside of Engineering)

Select all that apply. NB: The answer options are drawn from the HESA cost centre categories.

What is your age?

• 25 or under
• 26-35
• 36-45
• 46-55
• 56-65
• 66 or over
• Prefer not to say

Are you a parent or guardian of one or more individuals aged under 18 or a carer for anyone of any age?

• Yes
• No
• Prefer not to say

Which of the following best describes your gender?

• Woman
• Man
• Non-binary
• Prefer not to say

Which of the following best describes your sexual orientation?

• Straight/heterosexual
• Gay or Lesbian
• Bisexual
• Other orientation
• Prefer not to say

What is your nationality?

• UK/British national
• National of a European Union member state
• National of a country outside the UK and the European Union
• Multiple nationalities (including UK/British)
• Multiple nationalities (excluding UK/British)
• Prefer not to say

Which of the following best describes your ethnicity?

• Black or Black British – Caribbean
• Black or Black British – African
• Other Black background
• Asian or Asian British – Indian
• Asian or Asian British – Pakistani
• Asian or Asian British – Bangladeshi
• Chinese
• Arab
• Other Asian background
• White – English, Scottish, Welsh, Northern Irish or British
• Gypsy or Traveller
• Other White background
• Mixed - White and Black Caribbean
• Mixed - White and Black African
• Mixed - White and Asian
• Other mixed background
• Other ethnic background
• Prefer not to say

Do you consider yourself to have one or more of the following?

• A specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia, dyspraxia or AD(H)D
• A social/communication impairment such as Asperger's syndrome/other autistic spectrum disorder
• A long-standing illness or health condition such as cancer, HIV, diabetes, chronic heart disease, or epilepsy
• A mental health condition, such as depression, schizophrenia or anxiety disorder
• A physical impairment or mobility issues, such as difficulty using arms or using a wheelchair or crutches
• Deafness or a serious hearing impairment
• Blindness or a serious visual impairment uncorrected by glasses
• A disability, impairment or medical condition that is not listed
• None
• Prefer not to say

Select all that apply. NB: The answer options are drawn from the HESA disability categories.

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