Roundtable on preparing for the Research Excellence Framework 2029

Wednesday 5 Feb 2025, 14:00 → 15:30 Europe/London

Zoom

This event is an insightful online roundtable dedicated to preparing for the upcoming 2029 Research Excellence Framework (REF). The REF is the process used to assess the quality of research in UK higher education institutions. As mentioned by Professor Jane Falkingham, Chair of the REF Main Panel on Social Sciences, ‘the REF is an essential component of our research funding ecosystem, providing vital support for academics to pursue independent research alongside valuable insights into the health of our disciplines’.

This event is tailored to all International Studies scholars, independently of their level of knowledge on the REF. It aims to support a wide range of colleagues, from those wishing to deepen their knowledge on what the REF is and how they can best prepare for it, to those colleagues planning to submit an application as assessors for REF main panels and sub-panels. International Studies colleagues have traditionally been submitted to Units of Assessment (UoA) 19 (Politics and International Studies), 20 (Social Work and Social Policy), and 25 (Area Studies).

The event brings together colleagues who served as members of those panels for the 2021 REF, namely:

Professor Loraine Gelsthorpe (University of Cambridge, UoA20);

Professor Roberta Guerrina (University of Bristol, UoA25); and 

Professor  Kimberly Hutchings (Queen Mary University of London, UoA19).

The roundtable will be chaired by Professor Helena Farrand Carrapico (Northumbria University, REF Lead).

We will offer a unique opportunity to deepen your understanding of the REF by addressing key issues including:

• Panel priorities: Understanding the focus areas for UoA 19, 20, and 25;
• The journey of outputs: A behind-the-scenes look at what happens to outputs once universities submit them;
• Crafting excellence: Advice on writing strong REF outputs, including tips for improving drafts and creating 4-star pieces;
• REF panel experience: Insights into the day-to-day life of panel members and what to consider if you're thinking of putting your name forward see our news story;
• Future expectations: Anticipated changes to REF rules and what they might mean for you.

Registration will close two hours before the event begins.