REF 2029 Conference 2026
The REF 2029 Conference 2026 will provide universities with a clear and practical understanding of the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2029 and the action now required to prepare for delivery. Taking place shortly after the scheduled publication of the guidance and panel criteria, the Conference will examine the implications for institutional research strategy, governance, evidence, systems, people and investment.
The Conference will explore how institutions can translate the revised framework into a coordinated and proportionate readiness plan, bringing together the strategic choices and practical delivery requirements across Contributions to Knowledge and Understanding (CKU), Engagement and Impact (E&I), Strategy, People and Research Environment (SPRE), data assurance, open access and institutional decision-making.
The Conference will explore practical strategies for:
- Interpreting the autumn 2026 REF 2029 guidance, panel criteria and immediate institutional implications
- Building a whole-institution delivery roadmap with clear governance, ownership and assurance
- Aligning REF preparation with research strategy, capability, resources and investment decisions
- Developing coherent institution-level and unit-level SPRE evidence without unnecessary duplication
- Preparing CKU submissions across outputs, substantive links, Statements of Representation and audit
- Assuring Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) volume data, Codes of Practice, impact evidence and open access compliance
Context
Why Now?
Final Guidance on Submissions and Panel Criteria and Working Methods is scheduled for autumn 2026, allowing institutions to confirm their plans.
Sector feedback will shape the final approach to SPRE assessment, cross-unit outputs, equality-related unit reductions and research income.
HESA Staff data for 2025/26 and 2026/27 will determine REF volume, making contract coding, researcher eligibility and Unit of Assessment (UoA) allocation priorities now.
Submission intentions open in spring 2027 and the deadline falls in autumn 2028, leaving limited time to test evidence, systems and governance.
Expert Contributors
Confirmed Speakers
Helena Mills
Interim REF Director
REF 2029
Professor Colette Fagan
Vice-President for Research
University of Manchester
Professor Karen Coopman
Associate Pro-Vice Chancellor Research & Innovation - Excellence and Focus
Loughborough University
Professor Jane Falkingham CBE
Vice-President (Engagement and International), University of Southampton
Chair, REF 2029 Main Panel C
What to Expect
Why attend the conference?
Understand the REF 2029 framework, the decisions that will shape institutional submissions and the practical actions universities should now prioritise
Develop a practical roadmap for preparing your REF 2029 submission, with clear guidance on governance, evidence, data and institutional delivery
Benchmark your institution's approach against emerging sector practice and identify practical improvements to strengthen your REF 2029 preparation
Policy Context
REF 2029: The Framework Taking Shape
Three profiles with revised weightings
Contributions to Knowledge and Understanding will account for 55%, Engagement and Impact 25%, and Strategy, People and Research Environment 20% of the overall assessment.
SPRE succeeds PCE
SPRE replaces the previously named People, Culture and Environment (PCE) element and combines institution-level and unit-level evidence, weighted 60:40, across four statement sections.
Outputs remain decoupled from individuals
Institutions will manage output selection through substantive links, with a recommended maximum of five outputs attributed to one substantive link. Any exception must be addressed in the Statement of Representation.
Volume is built from HESA data
REF-specific staff fields, UoA mapping and the two volume-contributing years require early data assurance. A spring 2027 amendment window will cover only the 2025/26 REF-specific fields.
Impact remains central
The broad REF 2021 impact model is being retained, while institutions must maintain clear pathways, robust evidence and a defensible link between underpinning research and claimed change.
Open access requirements have changed
Revised requirements apply to in-scope journal articles and conference contributions published from 1 January 2026; earlier in-scope outputs remain subject to the REF 2021 requirements.
Turn REF 2029 policy into a delivery plan
Join research leaders preparing clear, proportionate institutional plans.
Programme
Agenda
Chair’s Welcome Address: REF 2029 at the Point of Delivery
The Final REF 2029 Framework: What Next?
- The final Guidance on Submissions and Panel Criteria and Working Methods
- How CKU, E&I and SPRE will combine within the assessment
- Clarification on volume, substantive links, Statements of Representation, Codes of Practice and audit
- The timetable from the 2027 survey of submission intentions through to the autumn 2028 submission deadline
- Immediate priorities for institutions
REF 2029 and the Strategic Choices Ahead for Research Leaders
- What the revised framework means for institutional research strategy, investment and capability
- How panel criteria will shape evidence, assessment and decision-making across different disciplines
- Balancing accountability and burden reduction while protecting research quality and organisational trust
- Using REF preparation to strengthen long-term research performance rather than create a parallel compliance exercise
Break
Panel Discussion: From Final Guidance to a Credible Institutional REF 2029 Plan
- Priority decisions for the first 100 days after publication
- Proportionate governance and clear decision rights across institutional and UoA teams
- Aligning REF delivery with research strategy, financial planning and investment
- Managing workload while sustaining academic and professional engagement
University Academic Lead for REF 2029 Aston University Confirmed
The Strategic and Delivery Questions Ahead: Building an Institution-Wide REF Operating Model
- Turn the framework into a funded delivery plan with named owners
- Define executive sponsorship, central ownership, faculty responsibilities and UoA decision rights
- Set realistic milestones for evidence development, review, moderation and approval
- Give senior leaders and governing bodies useful oversight without creating unnecessary burden
Lunch Break
SPRE in Practice: Building Evidence of Strategy, People and Research Environment
- Build a coherent evidence narrative across institution-level and unit-level statements
- Show how strategy, people, infrastructure and collaboration work together to support research excellence
- Demonstrate outcomes and progress, not simply activity
- Use internal review to test whether claims are representative, evidenced and proportionate to context
Volume, HESA Data and Codes of Practice: Building Confidence in the Institutional Evidence Base
- Validate REF-specific HESA fields, contract data and UoA allocations across both volume years
- Prepare for the spring 2027 amendment window for the 2025/26 REF-specific fields, with clear ownership across HR, planning and research teams
- Apply the approved Code of Practice consistently and maintain an auditable record of decisions
Break and Networking
CKU: Output Selection and Representation
- What substantive links and the recommended five-output maximum mean for institutional selection
- How transparent review and moderation can support consistent decision-making across UoAs
- Balancing excellence and representation across the portfolio and Statement of Representation
- Embedding open access, evidence and audit requirements without creating unnecessary burden
Beyond REF 2029: Strengthening Research Culture and Capability
- What the framework can reveal about institutional research strengths, gaps and future potential
- How SPRE evidence can inform long-term decisions on people, culture, infrastructure and collaboration
- Balancing near-term assessment requirements with sustainable development across disciplines
- Using the REF cycle to strengthen research capability and performance beyond 2029
Chair’s Close
Build your institution’s REF 2029 delivery plan
Translate the final framework into a clear, institution-wide delivery plan.
Who Should Attend?
Audience
This Conference is designed for higher education professionals responsible for research strategy, REF delivery, research assessment, impact, environment, data and institutional assurance. Those in attendance will include:
- Pro Vice-Chancellors and Deputy Vice-Chancellors for Research and Innovation
- Directors and Heads of Research, Research Services and Research Strategy
- REF Directors, REF Managers and Research Excellence Leads
- Deans of Research, Associate Deans and Unit of Assessment Leads
- Directors and Heads of Research Impact, Engagement and Knowledge Exchange
- Research Culture, Researcher Development, EDI and People Leads
- Planning, Insight, HESA Data, Business Intelligence and Systems Leads
- Governance, Assurance, Audit, Legal and Policy Professionals
- Open Research, Scholarly Communications, Repository and Library Leaders
- Research Administrators, Faculty Research Managers and Professional Services Leads
Registration
Secure Your Ticket
HE and Public Sector
£195 + VAT
- Full-day live conference access
- Latest REF 2029 policy insight
- Practical institutional case studies
- Live chat functionality
- Breakouts and networking
- Access to event resources
Private Sector
£395 + VAT
- Full-day live conference access
- Latest REF 2029 policy insight
- Practical institutional case studies
- Live chat functionality
- Breakouts and networking
- Access to event resources
HE Team of 3
£526.50 + VAT
- Full-day live access for three delegates
- Latest REF 2029 policy insight
- Practical institutional case studies
- Live chat functionality
- Breakouts and networking
- Access to event resources
For group discounts and registration enquiries please contact us at enquiries@heprofessional.co.uk.