University news

The four UK higher education funding bodies, working with the REF Main Panel Chairs and Advisory Panel members, have appointed chairs and deputy chairs for the 34 expert sub-panels that will assess research in REF 2029.

The panel chairs and deputy chairs - including four UofG academics - will lead their units of assessment through the criteria setting phase, beginning later this year, and on through to the final assessment.

The four REF appointees from UofG are Professor Nasar Meer; Professor Catherine Steel; Professor Jane Stuart-Smith and Professor Olivia Wu.

REF Director Rebecca Fairbairn said: "I'm delighted to welcome this outstanding group to lead the REF 2029 sub-panels. Their deep expertise and broad perspectives will be central to building an assessment process that is fair, rigorous, and trusted by the research community.

"We have been working in partnership with the sector throughout this process, and I'm grateful to everyone who expressed interest - your engagement is what strengthens the credibility and value of the REF across our research landscape."

Professor Chris Pearce, UofG's Vice Principal for Research and Knowledge Exchange, said: “I am delighted that four academic colleagues from the University of Glasgow have been appointed as chair or deputy chair of the expert sub-panels that will assess research across the UK in REF2029.
 
"These appointments reflect their expertise and standing within both their disciplines and the wider UK research ecosystem. I am confident their involvement will inspire trust across the research community that REF2029 is being guided with acumen and integrity.
 
"At the University of Glasgow, we are committed to delivering impactful research of the highest quality, underpinned by a positive research culture, and recognise our role in ensuring a successful REF2029 for the sector that instils trust and confidence in the UK’s world-class research.”

All the chairs and deputy chairs will now be working to appoint their full panels, ensuring that membership reflects the full range of required expertise. These appointments will be announced in summer 2025.

Deputy chairs have been confirmed for the majority of sub-panels. Appointments for sub-panels UoA 8 (Chemistry), UoA11 (Computer Science and Informatics), UoA 28 (History) and UoA31 (Theology and Religious Studies) are still being finalised and will be announced shortly.

The full list of appointed chairs and deputy chairs can be found via the Panels page on the REF website.

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University of Glasgow Academics appointed chairs and deputy chairs on REF 2029 Sub-panels:

Professor Nasar Meer, Professor in Social and Political Sciences, School of Social & Political Sciences

• Role: Deputy Chair
• Sub-panel: 20 Social Work and Social Policy
• Main Panel: C - Social Sciences

Professor Catherine Steel, Professor of Classics, School of Humanities | Sgoil nan Daonnachdan

• Role: Deputy Chair
• Sub-panel: 29 Classics
• Main Panel: D - Arts and Humanities

Professor Jane Stuart-Smith, Professor of Phonetics and Sociolinguistics, School of Critical Studies

• Role: Chair
• Sub-panel: 26 Modern Languages and Linguistics
• Main Panel: D - Arts and Humanities

Professor Olivia Wu, William R Lindsay Chair of Health Economics, School of Health & Wellbeing

• Role: Deputy Chair
• Sub-panel: 2 Public Health, Health Services and Primary Care
• Main Panel: A - Medicine, Health and Life Sciences

First published: 22 May 2025