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Join Paul Manners, Co-Director, and special guests, to learn about the experience of being on a REF panel, the application process, and the benefits and challenges of the role. You will meet three 2021 panellists and a panel chair, who will share their experiences.

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How do you balance being on the panel with potentially supporting people within your institution with/working towards impact case studies? You'd need people with varied experience including PEPs who support engaged and impactful research (and other support roles such as impact managers) but is there a conflict of interest there? How can you ensure impartiality?

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I'm an affiliated Honorary Research Fellow at University of Oxford with an appointment at a Spanish University, is it possible to become a member of the REF pannel?

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I'm an affiliated Honorary Research Fellow at University of Oxford with an appointment at a Spanish University, is it possible to become a member of the REF pannel?

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Applications for sub-panel chair and deputy chair have now closed.

You can still use the application form to apply for all other panel roles. The deadline for those applications is midday 28 April 2025.

We are seeking applications from individuals wishing to apply to be members of the REF 2029 panels

Please read through the information in this form carefully. Please also make sure you have read the information about who can be involved, how we will select the panel roles for appointment, and the time commitment involved - REF 2029 main and sub-panel recruitment - REF 2029.

Click on each section to open it. When you have completed all the relevant parts of the form please click on Finish, at the bottom of this screen, to submit your application.

You can return to this Contents page by clicking 'Continue' at the bottom of the each page.

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Find and participate in activities run by UK Research and Innovation

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How much experience do you need to have in order to be considered? Is it a paid role or voluntary? What is the associated workload?

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How much experience do you need to have in order to be considered? Is it a paid role or voluntary? What is the associated workload?

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Summary of REF Panel Roles and Criteria for Panel Membership

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Summary of REF Panel Roles and Criteria for Panel Membership

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Public Engagement Professionals network | NCCPE

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NCCPE PEP Network REF Panel Event Slides

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I am interested in a sub panel role but don’t have deep subject expertise, and work in a professional services role. Can I still apply?

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I am interested in a sub panel role but don’t have deep subject expertise, and work in a professional services role. Can I still apply?

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How much experience do I need to be considered for a panel role?

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How much experience do I need to be considered for a panel role?

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ANSWER: The download on the right lists the criteria and expectations for the roles. The criteria are demanding. But the REF team encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply, even if you are not certain that you meet every criterion listed. They are keen to hear from individuals with varied experiences who can bring unique perspectives to the panels, this includes diverse lived experiences. Applications need to ensure they specifically demonstrate the experience they have and how that links to the criteria.

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If you work for an institution, is it expected that your employer releases you for the time to contribute to the panel, or are you expected to contribute outside of your full time role? 

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If you work for an institution, is it expected that your employer releases you for the time to contribute to the panel, or are you expected to contribute outside of your full time role? 

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ANSWER: Individuals applying to these roles must have the support of their employing organisation for their appointment. The specific policy an institution might have in place to ensure staff are able to contribute to the REF may differ ad so it is best to check with your institution’s research office or HR.

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Metascience:  I am wondering what role will have the new-ish area of research on metascience or "research on research" in REF 2029?

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Metascience:  I am wondering what role will have the new-ish area of research on metascience or "research on research" in REF 2029?

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ANSWER: This may fit into several of the panel roles e.g. main panel user expert, or into the ‘environment’ of PCE expert, or the  interdisciplinary expert. Panel members will be able to work closely with RDAP and PDAP members who will be thinking about this area of metascience. There will also be the forthcoming evaluative programme being developed within the REF team where this area could feed in.

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The Research Excellence Framework (REF) | NCCPE

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REF 2029: what's the story for public engagement? | NCCPE

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REF 2029 represents a significant step forward from REF 2021, in the way it encourages HEIs to embed more strategic support for public engagement. The proposals are still being consulted upon and piloted, so there is still some uncertainty about exactly how the exercise will work when the final guidance is launched later in 2025.

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How much notice do you get of meeting dates/timings/locations?

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How much notice do you get of meeting dates/timings/locations?

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ANSWER: The notice period for meeting dates, timings, and locations can vary depending on the specific activity and the stage of the REF cycle. The REF team will aim to give panel members as much notice as possible about meeting requirements to ensure you can plan accordingly

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Timings wise  eg 40-60 hours over the REF cycle - when does the cycle start and end?

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Timings wise  eg 40-60 hours over the REF cycle - when does the cycle start and end?

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ANSWER: The time commitment for REF 2029 will depend on the panel and your role in it, and the phase in which you are appointed. We recognise that panel member time commitments will vary.

We expect the concentration of time commitment to split into one third for the criteria setting, and two thirds for the assessment phase. The criteria setting phase will be from summer 2025 to spring 2026, where panels develop the assessment criteria and working methods. The assessment phase will be from the winter 2028 to the autumn of 2029, where the panels assess the submissions.

As we approach the assessment phase, we will continue to review workload expectations. A clearer understanding of time commitments will emerge once we receive data on submission shapes through the Survey of Submission Intentions in 2027.

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If someone has been on the panel before, is it likely that they will be accepted again? (Will there be a lot of people who have participated before involved in this REF?)

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If someone has been on the panel before, is it likely that they will be accepted again? (Will there be a lot of people who have participated before involved in this REF?)

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ANSWER: The recruitment process for REF panels values experience and expertise, which means that those who have participated before and have demonstrated their capability are strong candidates for reappointment. However, REF 2029 also emphasises diversity and inclusion, aiming to bring in fresh perspectives and ensure a broad representation of the research community. This means that while experienced panel members are valued, there will also be opportunities for new members to join.

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Applying as Sub-Panel Member when other people in your Department are applying too

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Applying as Sub-Panel Member when other people in your Department are applying too

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Hi, I want to apply to be a Sub-Panel Member but I know that two senior colleagues in my discipline (same department) are also applying to other REF roles. They have much more experience than I do. Will I be disadvantaged, or would we all be able to join? They might apply for different roles. I wonder if there is a cap on how many people from the same department (not just University) can be hired.

ANSWER:   The selection process for REF panel members is designed to be fair and inclusive, focusing on the expertise and experience of the applicants. While your senior colleagues may have more experience, your unique perspectives and contributions are also valuable. The REF encourages applications from individuals at various career stages and with diverse backgrounds.

There is no explicit cap on the number of panel members from the same department or institution. The selection process aims to ensure a balanced representation across disciplines and institutions.

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With many thanks to all the inspiring speakers.

I'd like to apply but may have to do so in a freelance capacity rather than through one of my job roles. Would that be an issue in terms of who I would be representing if attending?

ANSWER: If you apply as a freelancer, you would need to clarify how you will represent your expertise and ensure that your contributions (how your role and experience) fit within the REF framework. In terms of who you are representing, there will be conflicts of interest process that will allow you to declare any potential (actual or perceived) conflicts. It's crucial to be transparent about your professional engagements and how they might impact your role on the panel. This helps maintain the credibility and fairness of the REF process.

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Hello, can I just check which one of these to tick to help with the impact/PE elements (Your application question)? Thank you!

ANSWER: You should click 'Main panel user expert'.

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Non permanent member of staff to apply for Sub-panel member

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Non permanent member of staff to apply for Sub-panel member

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I have a question that is similar but not the same as the one about freelancer/different roles. I work as a researcher at a university department on two projects, but my contracts are finite (i.e. I'm not a permanent member of staff). At the same time, and in addition, I conduct unwaged research in my specialisation. My HoD has communicated that the Department will not support non-permanent members of staff to apply for REF panel membership, but I really want to apply, so I will have to do it independently. What would you advise, since by default I will not have institutional support? And if I apply as a freelancer, will I need to have self-employed status?