Following a rigorous recruitment process, 13 colleagues from across the Faculty have been appointed to REF 2029 panels to assess the excellence of research in UK higher education institutions. Appointments have been made across all 34 units of assessment and those appointed will be responsible for the criteria-setting phase of REF 2029.

The REF outcomes are used to inform the allocation of around £2 billion per year of public funding for universities’ research.

The Faculty staff newly appointed to panels are:

• 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, Professor of Global Political Economy and Social Policy, newly appointed at Manchester, 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 previously announced appointments from the Faculty: Professor Toni Haastrup’s appointment to the People and Diversity Advisory Panel; Professor Maggie Gale’s appointment to the Unit of Assessment 28 (History) People, Culture and Environment (PCE) pilot panel; Professor Claire Alexander’s appointment as chair of sub-panel 21 (Sociology); Dr Kate Dorney’s appointment as deputy chair of sub-panel 33 (Music, Drama, Dance, Performing Arts, Film and Screen Studies); and Dr Cathal Rogers appointment to the Unit of Assessment 17 (Business and Management Studies) and two secretariat roles (for Units of Assessment 4 and 18).

Commenting on the appointments Vice-President and Dean for the Faculty of Humanities, Professor Fiona Devine, said: “Congratulations to the colleagues announced. We’re very proud of the contribution they will make to REF 2029, here within the University and the wider academic community.”

Maggie Gale, Faculty Vice-Dean for Research, added: “We are very pleased to see that so many University of Manchester Humanities’ staff have been appointed to panels and sub-panels for REF2029. This is a real reflection of staff engagement in national research culture and we thank them in advance for the additional work they are taking on.”

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