- Research Excellence Framework (REF) Steering Group comprises members nominated by each of the four UK higher education funding bodies. The Chair and Deputy Chair of the group are selected by the Chief Executives (or equivalent) of the funding bodies. The current Chair is the Director of Research of Research England and the deputy Chair is the Director of Research and Innovation of the Scottish Funding Council. The Deputy Chair will assume the chair following the publication of Guidance on Submissions, at which point expressions of interest for the role of Deputy Chair will be sought. The secretariat for the Steering Group is provided by the REF Team.
- The Steering Group acts on behalf of the funding bodies and their chief executives (or equivalent) to oversee and steer implementation of the REF.
- The remit of the Steering Group is bounded by the recognition that the funding bodies’ chief executives and directors of research (or equivalent) will engage in the REF development through their Steering Group representatives as appropriate.
- The Steering Group is deemed quorate when representatives from three of the four funding bodies are present. Should decisions be required in the absence of a funding body, the Chair, Deputy or Secretariat will engage with the absent funding body to seek their input in advance of or as soon as practicable following the meeting. If the Steering Group cannot reach consensus (including in relation to point 5(ix) below), steerage will be sought from chief executives (or equivalent).
- Within this remit the Steering Group is responsible for:
- Providing a steer from the HE Funding Bodies to the REF Team on matters of policy and the programme of work.
- Drawing the attention of the REF Team to matters of particular importance or sensitivity within the individual territories.
- Agreeing collective recommendations on the high-level framework and putting these forward to the boards (or equivalent) of the funding bodies.
- Signing off key guidance and other documentation produced by the REF Team, including taking decisions as necessary on any procedural issues to be resolved in developing the guidance.
- Agreeing collective recommendations on the appointment of REF panel members and assessors and putting these forward to the Chief Executives or boards (or equivalent) of the funding bodies.
- Reviewing and signing off project documentation; monitoring project progress; and taking decisions on any changes to plans or procedures required during the course of the project.
- Providing oversight of implementation risks, including ownership of relevant risks and signing-off the risk register.
- Collectively agreeing the draft REF budget and putting this forward for funding bodies’ approval, and monitoring spend against this.
- Acting as final arbiter in interpreting the REF Guidance should disagreement emerge.
Approved 19 January 2024