REF 2029: What Next?

Wednesday 4th December 2024
9:30 am - 3:30pm
Virtual Conference

REF 2029: What Next? will provide a vital checkpoint allowing institutions to examine the development of the Research Excellence Framework and explore how to prepare strategically for the countdown to submission.

The Conference will:

  • Examine the REF 2029 policy development process and how the expert panels will develop guidance from 2025

  • Explore the development of People, Culture and Environment (PCE) pilot exercise

  • Share practical insights on how institutions can build preparations for REF 2029

  • Assess the key components for designing a strategic approach to REF 2029

Why attend the conference?

Gain the latest updates on the development of REF 2029

Understand how institutions across the sector are preparing

Develop your planning processes for the countdown to 2029

Agenda

09:30 am

Chair’s Welcome Address

Dr Jen Fensome
Director of Research and Innovation
LSE (CONFIRM ED)

09:40 am

REF 2029 Update: The Approach to Policy Development and Roll Out

  • The latest updates on the REF 2029 policy roadmap and how policy modules are being rolled out

  • The development of the Open Access and People, Culture and Environment (PCE) policy modules across 2024

  • The approach to the recruitment of expert panels ahead of the initial guidance development phase

  • What to expect on the design of codes of practice guidance

Dr Steven Hill
Director of Research
Research England (CONFIRMED)

This session only is open to the whole sector for free. You can register a place for the live stream here.

10:10 am

Break

10:20 am

Exploring the People, Culture and Environment (PCE) Pilot Exercise

  • The approach to PCE for pilot institutions

  • Examining routes to designing the PCE assessment of REF 2029

  • Assessing how pilot institutions will test initial indicators

  • Harnessing the pilot process to understand the burden in preparing PCE submissions

  • Examining the co-design approach across REF 2029 and how the pilot will drive future development

Professor George Talbot
Pro Vice Chancellor, Research & Knowledge Exchange
Edge Hill University (CONFIRMED)

11:00 am

Break and Networking

11:20 am

Managing Institutional Change in the Development of REF 2029

  • Developing a feedback loop and understanding how staff want to engage

  • Empowering staff to help design processes and approaches to preparation

  • Formulating a clear delivery structure that drives action across an institution

  • What an impactful approach to roll out looks like and how to embed lessons from REF 2021

Dr Gemma Fitzsimmons
Head of Research Information and System
University of Southampton (CONFIRMED)

11:50 am

An Update from the ARMA REF SIG

Anna Grey
Director of Research and Innovation Services, University of Dundee
REF SIG Champion, ARMA (CONFIRMED)

12:20pm

Break and Networking

1:10 pm

Designing a Strategic Approach to REF 2029

  • Building strategic plans and processes for REF 2029

  • Setting an implementation plan for preparation and design

  • Exploring the decisions required to adapt to the expectations of REF 2029

Professor Krasimira Tsaneva-Atanasova
Vice-President and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Impact)
University of Exeter (CONFIRMED)

1:40 pm

Panel Discussion: The Road to REF 2029 Preparation

  • Assessing how to begin institution-wide preparations in response to the initial decisions on REF 2029

  • Examining the profile of resourcing and staffing needed to support effective planning and delivery

  • Leading strategic decision making on an approach to REF 2029 amid the assessment period

  • Embedding lessons from REF 2021 and supporting meaningful transformation

  • What to expect on the rolling programme of REF 2029 policy modules and how to feature these developments into an institution’s approach

Dr Navdeep Bains
Director of Research & Impact Services
University of Warwick (CONFIRMED)

Professor Nicholas Forsyth
Vice Principal, Research
University of Aberdeen (CONFIRMED)

Lindsay Ramage
Director of Policy, Systems and Performance
Durham University (CONFIRMED)

Professor Fiona Matthews
Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research and Enterprise)
University of Hull (CONFIRMED)

2:30 pm

Break and Networking

2:50 pm

How to Make Impact More Accessible

  • Addressing post-REF2021 feedback

  • Engaging researchers on the topic of impact

  • Simplifying impact and REF

Korneel Verhaeghe
Senior REF Impact Manager
University of Bristol (CONFIRMED)

3:10 pm

How Do We Meaningfully Support Academics on Non-Traditional and Diverse Research Outputs?

Dr Charlotte Brady
Head of REF, Research Planning & Performance
The University of Edinburgh (CONFIRMED)

3:30 pm

Conference Close

*Programme subject to change

Audience

This event is designed for all those involved in preparing for REF 2029. Those in attendance will include:

  • Directors of Research and Enterprise

  • Directors of Research and Innovation

  • Directors of Research Services

  • Heads of Research Excellence and Impact

  • Heads of Research Operations

  • Heads of Research Quality and Policy

  • Heads of Research Strategy and Engagement

  • Heads of Reporting and Evaluation

  • Pro Vice Chancellors, Impact and Innovation

  • Pro Vice Chancellors, Research and Knowledge Exchange

  • Deans for Research

  • Associate Provosts, Innovation and Research

  • REF and Impact Managers

  • REF Project Managers

  • Research Impact Managers

  • Associate Professors

Secure Your Ticket

Public Sector (HE)

£345 + VAT

Attendance to REF 2029: What Next?

Private Sector

£595 + VAT

Attendance to REF 2029: What Next?

For group discounts and enquiries about your registration please contact us on enquiries@heprofessional.co.uk