Membership of RAE2008 panels November 2007 Ref RAE 03/2007 Membership of RAE2008 panels To Heads of HEFCE-funded higher education institutions Heads of HEFCW-funded higher education institutions Heads of SFC-funded higher education institutions Heads of universities in Northern Ireland Of interest to those Research assessment, Research policy, responsible for Planning Reference RAE 03/2007 Publication date November 2007 Enquiries to Raegan Hiles or Davina Madden tel 0117 931 7267 e-mail [email protected] Executive summary Purpose 1. This document lists the membership of the main and sub-panels for the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE2008). The panels will assess the quality of research in submissions to RAE2008. Key points 2. For the purpose of RAE2008, each academic discipline is assigned to one of 67 units of assessment (UOAs). There is a two-tier panel system: 67 sub-panels of experts, one for each UOA, work under the guidance of 15 main panels. Under each main panel are broadly cognate disciplines whose subjects have similar approaches to research. 3. Panel members are experts drawn from higher education institutions (HEIs) and the wider research community, and are nominated by subject associations and other stakeholder organisations. Each main panel and sub-panel has stipulated criteria and working methods that they will adhere to in making assessments: these were published in January 2006 as RAE 01/2006: RAE2008: Panel criteria and working methods. 4. This list of panel membership is correct at the time of going to print. Should any member retire from the panel or be replaced during 2008, we will update the electronic list available at www.rae.ac.uk under ‘Panels’. Action required 5. This document is for information and guidance. No action is required. RAE 03/2007 1 Introduction 6. This document contains details of the membership of the main and sub-panels which will peer review the research quality of submissions to RAE2008. Information about the process by which panel members were appointed is in RAE 03/2004: Units of assessment and recruitment of panel members. 7. Since May 2005, a dynamic version of the panel membership has been available in Excel spreadsheet format on the RAE2008 web-site www.rae.ac.uk under ‘Panels’. This list is updated on a regular basis. 8. This document includes updates to the panel membership since the panels were first established in 2004. 9. The panel membership is now set for the assessment phase of the exercise. We do not anticipate changes to the published panel membership except in extreme circumstances, for example if a member is no longer able to serve due to ill health and is therefore replaced. 2 RAE 03/2007 Section 1: Role of the panels Main panels International panel members 10. There are 15 main panels (A-O), each of 13. International panel members were appointed which work with a manageable, broadly cognate by the same nominations process as other panel group of no fewer than three sub-panels. The members. International members serve on the main panel is made up of: main panels to bring an international perspective to the endorsement of the quality profiles • the chair proposed by the related sub-panels. They were • the chairs of the sub-panels within the main invited to these posts as practising researchers panel grouping (between three and eight sub- with a very high level of knowledge of and panels per main panel area) expertise in research across a broad discipline area • international experts who act as full panel internationally, including substantial experience in members at least one country outside the UK. • where appropriate and possible, other people Sub-panels with specific expertise and observers. 14. Sub-panels are responsible for the detailed 11. The main panel provides leadership and assessment of research submissions to the guidance to the sub-panels on their approach to corresponding unit of assessment. Prior to this the assessment process; main panels were also detailed assessment, sub-panels were responsible responsible for approving the sub-panel criteria for producing draft criteria for assessment and for assessment and working methods. The main working methods for approval by the main panel. panel will work closely with the sub-panels They were guided in this by the RAE team. The throughout the assessment period in order to sub-panels have a duty to work within the agreed ensure consistency in application of quality criteria and in collaboration with the main panel, standards, common procedures and equal to produce draft quality profiles and associated opportunities guidance. In signing off the quality feedback for all submissions made to them. In profiles assigned to the submissions, the main doing so, they will take advice where necessary panels will confirm that in their view each of the from other sub-panels via the cross-referral sub-panels has adopted reasonable and consistent process, or specialist advisors. subject-specific approaches to the assessment of all forms of research, including basic, applied Specialist advisors practice-based and interdisciplinary research. The 15. Specialist advisors will be appointed where a main panel will also produce a final report on the sub-panel has to assess either significant work in a state of research in the disciplines covered by the sub-disciplinary area that crosses the boundaries sub-panels. of units of assessment, or work that the members of the sub-panel do not collectively have the Main panel chairs expertise to assess. 12. The main panel chair guides the main and relevant sub-panels to ensure that they complete Panel advisors and secretaries the assessment within the framework and 16. Each main panel area – the main panel, and according to the published criteria and working its associated sub-panels – has dedicated methods. The overriding responsibility of the secretariat support for the assessment phase. This main panel chair is to ensure that throughout the support comprises a panel advisor and panel exercise, panels and sub-panels adhere to the key secretary, each seconded from UK HEIs. The principles that govern the RAE2008 as set out in advisor will provide policy and procedural advice RAE 03/2005: Guidance on submissions. to the panel, and is seconded on a part-time basis in 2008 to support the main panel area. The RAE 03/2007 3 secretary will provide policy, procedural and secretariat support, and is seconded on a full-time basis in 2008 to work with the main panel area. The advisor will take shadow minutes and provide secretariat support if the secretary has to leave the meeting, for example if an institution which the secretary has a conflict of interest in is being discussed. 4 RAE 03/2007 Section 2: Appointment of membership of panels 17. Main panel chairs were appointed following appropriate – by contacting nominating bodies to advertisement of these posts and an application secure further nominations. process in early 2004. 22. Following the initial recruitment of panel 18. Sub-panel chairs and panel members were members, the panel membership was published nominated by nominating bodies who are on the RAE2008 web-site. Since then, the online stakeholders in the exercise, such as learned list has been regularly updated to reflect changes societies, professional bodies and other in the membership. organisations with an interest in research, 23. In summer 2006, the RAE team undertook including research users. The RAE team equal opportunities monitoring of all panel undertook a nominations exercise in 2004 to members serving in the RAE 2008. A summary secure nominations from these bodies. HEIs were report of this exercise and the results is available not eligible to act as nominating bodies. on the RAE web-site, www.rae.ac.uk, under 19. The funding bodies’ chief executives ‘Panels’. appointed 67 sub-panel chairs after considering 24. Specialist advisors will be appointed the nominations for individuals and taking advice following nominations from nominating bodies in confidence from the relevant main panel chairs. and advice from the panel chair, as with panel Similarly, sub-panel members were appointed by membership appointments. the funding bodies’ chief executives from among those nominated, taking account of the weight of nominations and advice from the relevant sub- panel and main panel chairs. In appointing sub- panel members, the funding bodies aimed to ensure that the collective expertise of each sub- panel was appropriate for the unit of assessment, and that the overall body of members reflected the diversity of the UK research community. Details of the selection process for sub-panel chairs and panel membership are in RAE 03/2004: Units of assessment and recruitment of panel members. 20. Panel members, including main and sub- panel chairs, may not be the head of a UK HEI. In cases where a panel member has been appointed to a vice-chancellor or principal post in a UK HEI since the establishment of RAE2008 panels, they have stepped down from the panel and a suitable replacement has been sought. 21. Since 2004, the panel membership has changed slightly to accommodate circumstances where panel members have had to relinquish their post, or further expertise has been required.