Manchester colleagues appointed to REF 2029 panels
04 Sep 2025
Our colleagues will help carry out expert review for the next Research Excellence Framework, the UK’s system for assessing research quality in UK higher education institutions.
More Manchester colleagues have been appointed to Research Excellence Framework (REF) panels, which carry out expert review focused on subject-based units of assessment – taking our University's total to 30 people.
Professor Chris Taylor OBE, Associate Vice-President for Digital Strategy and Innovation, is deputy chair of Main Panel B (Physical Sciences, Engineering and Mathematics).
In addition, Professor Sarah Sharples, incoming Dean of the Faculty of Science and Engineering, is deputy chair of sub-panel 12 (Engineering).
They join Professor Claire Alexander, chair of sub-panel 21 (Sociology) and Dr Kate Dorney, deputy chair of sub-panel 33 (Music, Drama, Dance, Performing Arts, Film and Screen Studies), whose appointments were confirmed in May this year
Our panel members also include:
- Zeeshan Ahmad, Reader in Pharmaceutical Science, for Unit of Assessment 3 (Allied Health Professions, Dentistry, Nursing and Pharmacy)
- Anne-Marie Glenny, Professor of Health Sciences Research, for Unit of Assessment 3 (Allied Health Professions, Dentistry, Nursing and Pharmacy)
- Penny Bee , Professor of Nursing and Midwifery, for Unit of Assessment 3 (Allied Health Professions, Dentistry, Nursing and Pharmacy)
- Andy Sharrocks, Professor of Molecular Biology, for Unit of Assessment 5 (Biological Sciences)
- David Leigh , Sir Samuel Hall Professor of Chemistry, for Unit of Assessment 8 (Chemistry)
- Sean Freeman, Professor of Nuclear Physics, for Unit of Assessment 9 (Physics)
- Francoise Tisseur Professor of Numerical Analysis, for Unit of Assessment 10 (Mathematical Sciences)
- Uli Sattler Professor of Information Management, for Unit of Assessment 11 (Computer Science and Informatics)
- Bill Sampson, Professor of Materials Engineering, for Unit of Assessment 12 (Engineering)
- Stephen Walker, Professor of Architecture, for Unit of Assessment 13 (Architecture, Built Environment and Planning)
- Bruce Tether, Professor of Innovation Management, IMP Innovation, Strategy and Sustainability, for Unit of Assessment 17 (Business and Management Studies)
- James Pattison, Professor of Politics, for Unit of Assessment 19 (Politics and International Studies)
- Alexander Nunn, Senior Lecturer in Global Political Economics, for sub panel 20 (Social Work and Social Policy)
- Kate Reed, Professor of Sociology, for Unit of Assessment 21 (Sociology)
- Sam Hickey, Professor of Politics and Development, for Unit of Assessment 22 (Anthropology and Development Studies)
- Hannah Knox, Max Gluckman Professor of Social Anthropology, for Unit of Assessment 22 (Anthropology and Development Studies)
- Steven Courtney, Professor of Sociology of Education Leadership, for Unit of Assessment 23 (Education)
- Zahia Smail Salhi, Honorary Professor of Arabic Studies, for Unit of Assessment 25 (Area Studies)
- David Matthews, Professor of Medieval and Medievalism Studies, for Unit of Assessment 27 (English Language and Literature)
- Sadiah Qureshi, Professor of Modern British History, for Unit of Assessment 28 (History)
- Peter Liddel Professor of Greek History and Epigraphy, for Unit of Assessment 29 (Classics)
- David O'Brien, Professor of Creative and Cultural Industry, for Unit of Assessment 34 (Communication, Cultural and Media Studies, Library and Information Management)
The appointments follow Professor Toni Haastrup’s appointment to the People and Diversity Advisory Panel; Dr Cathal Rogers, Research Culture and Assessment Manager, appointed to two REF 2029 secretariat roles (for UoAs 4 and 18); and five colleagues appointed to the REF People, Culture and Environment (PCE) pilot panels.
Vice-President for Research, Professor Colette Fagan said: “I am delighted that more of our research community colleagues are playing a vital role in the sector's delivery of REF 2029, our national research excellence framework. Four colleagues have been appointed as sub-panel chairs among a total of 30 colleagues playing a significant role.”
“These appointments are a testament to their standing in their respective fields, and their wealth of experience and expertise. They will play a vital role in the development and delivery of REF 2029 for the sector. I am very proud and wish them all well.”
Further information
REF is the UK’s system for assessing the excellence of research in UK higher education institutions (HEIs) and its outcomes are used to inform the allocation of around £2 billion per year of public funding for universities’ research. It involves a process of expert review, carried out by sub-panels focused on subject-based units of assessment (UoAs), under the guidance of overarching main panels and advisory panels.
For more information, visit:
To find out more about research culture and environment here at Manchester, visit: