REF 2029: What Next?

Tuesday 2nd December 2025 
9:00 am - 4:30pm
Virtual Conference

REF 2029: What’s Next? is designed as a strategic checkpoint for institutions already progressing REF 2029 planning. This event is designed to help you move from awareness to action, offering clear, practical insights to support strategic planning across your institution or unit.

The Conference will:

  • Explore the latest REF 2029 updates, assess progress and plan next steps

  • Outline changes to CKU, impact case studies, research culture and EDI

  • Share strategies for data, researcher development and institutional readiness

  • Address challenges in recognising and rewarding cross-disciplinary research

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

09:00 am

Chair’s Welcome Address

Professor Tom  Rodden Pro‑Vice‑Chancellor for Research & Knowledge Exchange University of Nottingham (Invited)


09:10 am

The Road to REF 2029 – Policy, Timelines & Sector Expectations

  • Outlining the key milestones ahead in the REF 2029 timetable

  • Understanding Contributions to Knowledge and Understanding (CKU) and the redefined notion of research excellence

  • Latest updates on PCE, EDI and the evolution of research culture assessment

  • How the 2026 Codes of Practice will reshape institutional planning

  • Anticipating the 2026 Guidance on Submissions: what we know so far and how to prepare

  • What institutions should prioritise over the next 12–18 months

Dr Steven Hill
Director of Research
Research England (Invited)

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


09:50 am

Break


10:00 am

Embedding ‘Contributions to Knowledge & Understanding’ in Strategy and Practice

What does CKU mean in practical terms for REF submission? How are institutions reshaping their systems and support to meet new expectations around narrative and excellence? A discussion on how institutions are interpreting and preparing for the new CKU guidance, including internal evaluation frameworks and narrative development.

  • Integrating CKU into institutional research strategy

  • Designing internal review and support systems for narratives

  • Developing staff capabilities to articulate contribution-based research

  • Managing consistency and quality across UoAs

  • Using CKU and Code of Practice guidance to recognise non-traditional research contributions

Speakers TBC


10:45 am

Break and Networking


11:00 am

Preparing for REF in a Post-Impact Landscape

What is the evolving role of ‘impact’ within CKU? How are universities reimagining engagement and research value?

  • Rethinking the role of impact within CKU narratives

  • Exploring engagement models beyond traditional case studies

  • Preparing support systems that reflect wider research value

Speakers TBC


11:50 am

Data, Metrics and Monitoring: Getting Ready for Evidence Submission

As REF moves further from output counting and toward broader evidencing of research contribution and culture, this session explores how institutions are adapting their data, infrastructure and analytics to meet emerging requirements.

  • Meeting new expectations around responsible metrics and CKU evidence

  • Embedding open access as a strategic capability, not compliance hurdle

  • Strengthening the role of institutional analytics in research storytelling

  • Ensuring infrastructure can adapt to meet evolving technical guidance

  • Aligning systems with anticipated 2026 submission requirements

Speakers TBC


12:30pm

Break and Networking


1:20 pm

EDI and Research Culture – Moving from Compliance to Culture

With REF 2029 asking for clearer articulation of inclusive culture and researcher development, how can institutions respond meaningfully?

  • Addressing culture and inclusion as core REF priorities

  • Embedding EDI principles in researcher development

  • Evidence strategies for demonstrating institutional progress

  • Using REF as a driver of long-term cultural change

Speakers TBC


2:00 pm

People, Culture & Environment (PCE) – What’s Next?

With new guidance and pilot outcomes expected this autumn, this session explores the strategic role of PCE in REF 2029.

  • Emerging findings from the PCE pilot and what they mean for submission design

  • Linking PCE with researcher development, leadership, and culture

  • Preparing institutions for stronger expectations around environment evidence


2:40 pm

Strategic Readiness & Excellence: Institutional Models for a Diverse Sector

This closing roundtable brings together REF leads and research strategy leaders from across a broad range of institutions to explore how universities are moving from planning into practival delivery. Short case insights from REF leads on what readiness looks like in different contexts and practical approaches for fostering excellence.

  • Building confidence in narrative-based submissions and CKU interpretation

  • Designing institutional systems, timelines and governance structures for REF 2029

  • Supporting excellence across mission groups, sizes and cultures

  • Lessons from non-Russell Group leadership and collaborative approaches

  • How strategy, communications and researcher development intersect in preparation


3:30 pm

Closing Reflections & Next Steps

*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