User participation
For the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2029 we want to put users at the heart of our system design. To involve users through all stages of system design, development and testing, we need your help. If you would be interested in joining our database of REF users please look at the opportunities below.
Users submitting to REF
We would like to recruit a bank of users to be involved in user research so we can really understand how to develop systems that make submitting to REF as smooth as possible.
Panel members working in assessment/criteria setting
We would like to recruit a bank of users to be involved in the design and delivery of the systems required to support the assessment phase to ensure that our systems support the assessment process.
How to get involved
You could be involved in focussed user research on particular aspects of a system, reviewing prototype designs and testing developed solutions before they are launched. You can commit as much or as little time as you like, the more involvement we have with our user base means we can deliver systems that really meet user needs.
You can register with our database and opt in to one or both of these groups. No previous REF experience is necessary. Users who use assistive technology are particularly welcome to ensure our systems meet the user needs of all the REF community.
How we use your data
If you join our user research database, this is how we will use your data.
We use the personal data you give us to select people to:
- tell us about their work and their needs
- show our online products or services to
We will store your data securely and handle it in line with UK data protection legislation.
If you would like to know more, including how to exercise your data protection rights, please see our privacy notice.
You can ask us to remove your information from our list at any time. If you want your information removed, please email userresearch@ukri.org to tell us.
Our user research database is for people willing to talk to us about their work, needs and to review our online products and services.