Cardiff Met’s Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research & Innovation appointed chair of REF 2029 Sub-Panel for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Leisure, and Tourism
Professor Sheldon Hanton, Cardiff Metropolitan University’s Pro Vice Chancellor of Research and Innovation, has been appointed Chair of the Sport and Exercise Sciences, Leisure and Tourism Sub-Panel for the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2029.
The REF is the UK’s national system for assessing the quality of research in higher education institutions. It informs the allocation of public research funding and ensures accountability for public investment.
The appointment, confirmed by the four UK higher education funding bodies in collaboration with the REF main panel chairs and advisory panel members, places Professor Hanton among the senior academic leaders responsible for guiding the UK’s national assessment of research quality.
As Chair, Professor Hanton will lead the sub-panel through the criteria setting phase, starting later this year, and oversee the unit’s work through to the final assessment of research submissions in 2029. He will play a key role in shaping how research within his field is evaluated across UK higher education institutions.
Reflecting on his appointment, Professor Hanton said: “I am delighted and honoured to be appointed as Chair of the Sport and Exercise Sciences, Leisure and Tourism Sub-Panel for the Research Excellence Framework 2029. The exercise is a vital and substantial component of our research landscape, and I very much look forward to working closely with colleagues to showcase the outstanding research in the discipline.”
The Pro Vice-Chancellor’s appointment is part of a broader announcement confirming the chairs and deputy chairs for all 34 expert REF sub-panels. These individuals will lead their respective panels through development and assessment phases, ensuring a process that is fair, robust and reflective of the breadth of research excellence in the UK.
While the majority of sub-panel chairs and sub-chairs have been confirmed, REF is now working to appoint their full panels, ensuring that membership reflects the full range of required expertise. These appointments will be announced in summer 2025.
REF Director Rebecca Fairbairn said: “I'm delighted to welcome this outstanding group to lead the REF 2029 sub-panels. Their deep expertise and broad perspectives will be central to building an assessment process that is fair, rigorous, and trusted by the research community.”
The full list of appointed sub-panel chairs and deputy chairs can be found via the Panels page on the REF website.