December 5, 2024, by Rob Ounsworth

Research England appoints Professor Tom Rodden to key role supporting Research Excellence Framework  

Professor Tom Rodden, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and Knowledge Exchange, has been appointed by Research England to a leadership role to help guide the delivery of the Research Excellence Framework (REF) in 2029. 

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

Professor Rodden will chair the main panel for Physical Sciences, Engineering and Mathematics, one of the four main panels that will provide leadership and guidance to the sub-panels that undertake the REF 2029 assessment. The chairs also undertake an ambassadorial role for REF 2029 in the sector. They will work to advise on the development and delivery of the exercise, providing advice to the REF team and steering group. They will also play a key role in recruiting and developing the REF main panels and sub-panels, for which applications will be opening soon.  

He said: “I am delighted to be appointed as chair of REF 2029 Main Panel B for Physical Sciences, Engineering and Mathematics. The Research Excellence Framework is an important part of the research landscape allowing us to capture and reflect the fantastic research undertaken across our universities and the impact it has on the UK. I look forward to working closely with colleagues to help guide the process.” 

Research England has also appointed the following sector leaders to the broad REF 2029 main panels: 

Main panel A: Medicine, Health and Life Sciences 
Professor Louise Kenny CBE, Executive Pro-Vice-Chancellor, University of Liverpool 

Main panel C: Social Sciences 
Professor Jane Falkingham, VP Engagement and International, University of Southampton 

Main panel D: Arts and Humanities
Professor Greg Walker, Regius Professor of Rhetoric and English Literature, University of Edinburgh 

Research England’s 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.” 

Results from the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF2021) reaffirmed the University of Nottingham as among the best universities in the UK for the strength of our research. 

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