On 7 March, the Royal Historical Society held an information event to consider the role and workload of the REF2029 History sub-panel, and how historians interested in submitting for the our disciplinary sub-panel should proceed with an application.
The work of disciplinary sub-panels (including that for History) is fundamental to the Research Excellence Framework. Subject panels form the heart of REF, responsible for assessing and grading scholarly outputs, impact and research cultures across the UK HE sector.
The steering group of REF2029 currently invites applications to join the sub-panels that will set the criteria and then assess submissions for the next research exercise.
The Society has now published a post — ‘Becoming a Member of the History Subject Panel for REF2029’ — which addresses the topic with reference to three areas:
- REF’s new approach to sub-panel recruitment, and the qualities of an effective final sub-panel
- Panellists’ roles, responsibilities and workloads
- Preparing an application, and working in advance with your institution
This article summarises a discussion between former History sub-panel members and prospective panellists for 2029. Our speakers’ comments made clear the rewards of panel membership as well as the extent and burden of the work, and the need for applicants to have secured an agreement with their home institutions to manage a workload that is incompatible, at least in late 2028 and 2029, with full-time academic duties.
The event made clear the need to share information with potential applicants to provide a rounded picture (negative as well as positive) of the History sub-panel and panel membership: its purpose and phases of work; the skills and mindset required of members; the breadth of subjects to which members are introduced; and the very considerable time commitment expected of panellists.
Our event further confirmed the Society’s concern—first set out last month—that Research England’s new approach to recruitment currently cannot guarantee us the final sub-panel composition our discipline requires. Nor does it appreciate the sense of crisis, reduced opportunity and growing inequality, within humanities in UK higher education, that will prevent many aspirant panellists from proceeding with an application.
The deadline for applications for History panel membership is noon 28 April 2025. We hope this guide enables applicants to make an informed decision about their ability to undertake this role before completing an application. Applicants should expect to hear outcomes by July with first meetings of the panel taking place shortly after.