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Key UCL appointments to REF 2029 People and Diversity Advisory Panel
15 October 2024
Research England has appointed IOE Pro-Director and Vice Dean (Research) Professor Lynn Ang as the new Deputy Chair to the REF People Diversity Advisory Panel (PDAP) and Professor Sara Perry (UCL Institute of Archaeology) onto the REF Research Diversity Advisory Panel (RDAP).
The membership of the People and Diversity Advisory Panel (PDAP) was announced this week including key UCL appointments. It is one of several expert advisory panels which guide the development, delivery and assessment of each REF exercise, which is conducted every seven years.
The REF is the UK's system for assessing the quality of research in UK universities. The REF results demonstrate how this research benefits society both in the UK and globally.
In 2021 UCL came second in research power, and 93% of our research, contributed to by 3,432 UCL academics, was graded as being ‘world leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’.
The REF team, based at Research England, has said that the next assessment cycle in 2029 will "deliver an expanded definition of research excellence, recognising the wide range of research, roles and people that are essential to the vitality of the UK’s vibrant research system.”
The PDAP panel will develop strategies to support recognition of a diversity of roles, careers and career stages during the next REF cycle in 2029, and to advance equality, diversity, and inclusion throughout.
Professor Ang is Pro-Director and Vice-Dean for Research at IOE, UCL’s Faculty of Education and Society. She is a Fellow of the Academy of Social Science and Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and is a Trustee for the Council for Education in the Commonwealth.
Lynn’s own research expertise is in early childhood education including international development and early learning, issues of diversity and inequality, and the sociocultural and policy influences on children's learning and development.
Lynn commented: “I am delighted to serve on REF 2029 People and Diversity Advisory Panel. Nurturing an inclusive and enabling research culture that values people and diversity is integral to research excellence and quality. I am looking forward to working with colleagues and institutions across the sector to support this important area of work in making a positive difference to the UK research and innovation ecosystem.”
Dr Sara Perry is Associate Professor in Digital Public Archaeology at UCL's Institute of Archaeology, and formerly Director of Research & Engagement at Museum of London Archaeology. Sara's research converges around knowledge exchange, professional practice, digital technologies, and storytelling in archaeology and heritage, with a particular concern for how invisible structures and unspoken feelings affect how the past is perceived and portrayed.
Sara commented: "“I am honoured to join the RDAP alongside so many other professionals who are committed to recognising the range of research which makes possible new ways of thinking, doing and being in the world. I’ve had the opportunity to work across industry, charity, government and academia with a range of local and professional communities internationally. In these contexts, data, methods and research outputs are necessarily different – they need to be broad and adaptable to serve people and the planet in responsible and equitable ways. I look forward to supporting the REF over the coming years in recognising and advancing such diverse research practices.”
The panel will advise the REF Steering Group; advise on the development of REF 2029 assessment criteria and the delivery of the assessment; and contribute to the REF 2029 assessment process.
Related links
About the REF People and Diversity advisory panel
Professor Lynn Ang’s UCL profile
Professor Sara Perry's UCL profile