REF 2029: What Next?
Thursday 18 December 2025
9:00 am - 2:45pm
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
Free Access: Please note the opening session from Dr Steven Hill is free and open acess for the whole sector. The full-day conference requires a conference ticket.
Speaker Note: Those on the REF secretariat will contribute their personal views and will not be releasing any REF guidance not already in the public domain.
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
Welcome and Opening Remarks
09:10 am
Keynote on REF 2029 (Free to Access for All)
This is an open access session, available to all across the higher education sector. Please register your pass via the link below.
Dr Steven Hill
Diretor of Research
Research England (CONFIRMED)
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
Professor Tim Newton
Dean of Research Culture
King’s College London (CONFIRMED)
Adam Riches
Head of Research Excellence & REF 2029 Panel Advisor
Manchester Metropolitan University (CONFIRMED)
10:45 am
Break
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
What the pause means for impact legacy and integration
Professor Inga Bryden
Head of Research Environment and Impact
University of Winchester (CONFIRMED)
David Sweeney
Professor of Research Policy and Former Executive Chair of Research England
University of Birmingham (Invited)
11:50 am
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
Professor Miriam Dwek
Director for College of Research and Knowledge Exchange and Chair of Research Culture and Equity Diversity and Inclusion Committee
University of Westminster (CONFIRMED)
Professor Bernadine Idowu
Professor of Biomedical Sciences, University of West London
Founder & Chair, BME Early Career Researcher (ECR) Network (CONFIRMED)
Chris Hughes
Director, Research Office
Edge Hill University (CONFIRMED)
12:30pm
Lunch Break / Optional Networking
1:20 pm
People, Culture & Environment (PCE): Insights & Next Steps
With new guidance and pilot outcomes expected in December, this session explores the strategic role of PCE in REF 2029.
Overview of PCE pilot and what we think we know so far
Linking PCE with researcher development, leadership, and culture
Preparing institutions for stronger expectations around environment evidence
Dr Cathal Rogers
Research Culture and Assessment Manager and REF 2029 Secretariat
University of Manchester (CONFIRMED)
Becky Gordon
Head of Research Quality and Policy
Lancaster University (CONFIRMED)
Karen Kay
Head of Research Culture and Policy
SOAS University of London (CONFIRMED)
2:00 pm
Maintaining Momentum: Institutional Strategies Beyond the REF Pause
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.
How can institutions maintain readiness despite uncertainty?
Practical approaches to sustaining planning and engagement
Opportunities to influence forthcoming guidance and criteria
How strategy, communications and researcher development intersect in preparations
Dr Natalie Wall
Strategic Research Impact Lead and REF 2029 Panel Advisor
King’s College London (CONFIRMED)
Chris Hughes
Director, Research Office
Edge Hill University (CONFIRMED)
2:45 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)
£195 + VAT
Attendance to REF 2029: What Next?
Private Sector
£395 + VAT
Attendance to REF 2029: What Next?
For group discounts and enquiries about your registration please contact us on enquiries@heprofessional.co.uk