Department represented on REF 2029 panels

Professor Rachel Brooks, Professor of Higher Education at the University of Oxford’s Department of Education, has been appointed to the Education sub-panel of the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2029, and Professor Alis Oancea will sit on the Main Panel C (Social Sciences) as representative of the Research Diversity Advisory Panel (RDAP), which she chairs.

The REF is the UK’s system for assessing the quality of research in higher education institutions. Submissions will be assessed by an expert sub-panel for each Unit of Assessment, working under the guidance of four main panels.

As part of the Education sub-panel, Professor Brooks will help shape the development of assessment criteria, contribute to the rigorous evaluation of REF submissions, and produce draft assessment outcomes and feedback for consideration by the main panel. She said: “I am delighted to have been appointed to the Education sub-panel for REF 2029 and look forward to working with peers from a wide variety of other institutions in assessing the breadth of UK educational research. Having been involved in a similar capacity with REF 2021, I know what a challenging but also very stimulating and rewarding role it is.”

Professor Brooks will bring her expert knowledge of quality education research to the sub-panel. Alongside her work with REF 2029, she is currently leading an ESRC-funded project entitled ‘Does Higher Education Politicise Today’s Students?’, which is tracking undergraduates at four UK universities over the course of their studies to examine the impact of higher education on their political knowledge, views and behaviour.

As RDAP representative and Chair of the RDAP panel, Professor Alis Oancea will support the equitable recognition of diverse forms of research within REF 2029 development, delivery and assessment.

Professor Oancea will bring her expert knowledge on meta-research and responsible research and innovation to the panel. She currently leads an international research-on-research project with the Centre for Global Higher Education, and co-leads the Responsible Knowledge Exchange, Engagement and Impact project.

Read more about Professor Alis Oancea’s position as Chair of the Research Diversity Advisory Panel.

See the full list of REF 2029 panel members.