HEFCE call for the Appointment of Sub-Panel chairs for REF 2021

The MeCCSA Executive would like to draw colleagues’ attention to ‘Initial decisions on REF 2021’ (HEFCE Circular letter 33/2017).

The funding bodies now wish to appoint a sub-panel chair for each of the 34 REF sub- panels listed in Annex A.

To apply see Annex B of the initial decisions on the REF document. The deadline for applications is 11 October 2017.

The guidance states that “applicants are asked to include letters of endorsement from subject associations or other organisations that demonstrate the individual’s standing in the community. Ideally these should indicate support from across the full breadth of disciplines covered by the UOA. These letters should form part of the application, and should not be sent directly from endorsing bodies to the REF team. Subject associations and other organisations may endorse more than one candidate.”

We ask all those intending to apply to send to Natalie Fenton (N.Fenton@gold.ac.uk), Chair of MeCCSA, their application and CV by midnight on the 21st of September. The MeCCSA Executive Committee (minus anyone who may be applying themselves) will then consider each application and how they demonstrate “appropriate standing in the community and ability to carry the confidence of key stakeholders” as noted in the person specification. The Chair of MeCCSA will then write the relevant letter of endorsement for return to applicants by 28 September 2017.

In the event that the executive committee decides (by a simple majority) that an applicant does not have appropriate standing in the community and the ability to carry the confidence of key stakeholders this will be communicated to the applicant as soon as possible and no later than the 28 September.

In particular MeCCSA would welcome applications from individuals who recognize the diversity and breadth of the field.