Professor Lynn Ang appointed Deputy Chair of REF People and Diversity advisory panel

The membership of the People and Diversity Advisory Panel (PDAP) was announced today. 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’s submission to the Education Unit of Assessment was ranked first for research strength and research power, in recognition of the international excellence, quality and size of our research activity in this area. 93% of UCL's 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.” 

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 
• UCL’s performance in REF 2021 
• IOE’s performance in REF 2021

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Top: Professor Lynn Ang, photograph by Sarah-Jane Gregori.