Coventry University professors appointed as co-chairs for REF 2029 pilot panels

Professor Elena Gaura, Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research (Academic Engagement) and Professor Sally Dibb, Research Centre for Business in Society

Professor Elena Gaura, Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research (Academic Engagement) and Professor Sally Dibb, Research Centre for Business in Society


Tuesday 14 January 2025

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Two Coventry University professors have been selected to serve as co-chairs for the pilot panels of the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2029.

Professor Elena Gaura, Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research (Academic Engagement) will co-chair the Unit of Assessment (UoA) 11 panel for Computer Science and Informatics, while Professor Sally Dibb from our Research Centre for Business in Society, will co-chair the UoA 17 panel for Business and Management Studies.

The People, Culture and Environment (PCE) pilot aims to develop innovative assessment processes that reflect the expanded definition of research excellence for REF 2029, which now places increased emphasis on the people, culture and environments that underpin research in the UK.

As co-chairs, Professors Gaura and Dibb will play key roles in contributing to the evaluation and refinement of PCE assessment processes, providing feedback to the REF team and acting as ambassadors to promote and embed the PCE framework.

They will also participate in the institutional-level panel, which will consolidate insights from the pilot into recommendations for REF 2029 guidance.

Professor Elena Gaura has led initiatives such as launching Internet of Things and Human-Robot Interaction laboratories in collaboration with the National University for Science and Technology in Pakistan, supporting female scientists in India through the Women in Science Leadership Programme and launching a Digital and AI Skills Network with the STFC Hartree Centre to enhance technology adoption in the West Midlands.

Professor Sally Dibb specialises in consumer behaviour change, social marketing and using big data to address societal challenges. She is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing and a recipient of the Academy of Marketing Lifetime Achievement Award.

Both Professor Gaura and Professor Dibb contributed their expertise to REF 2021, with Elena serving on the General Engineering Sub-panel and Sally as Deputy Chair of the Business and Management panel.

I am so pleased that two members of our research community are taking on important roles in shaping REF 2029, the national framework for research excellence. Elena and Sally bring exceptional expertise, dedication and insight to the design and delivery of the REF 2029 assessment. 

70% of our research was rated as world-leading or internationally excellent in REF 2021. Through our 2030 Research Strategy, we are dedicated to building on this success by continuing to deliver world-class research and innovations that provide solutions to global challenges.

Professor Richard Dashwood, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research), Coventry University

Find out more about Professors Elena Gaura and Sally Dibb.

Find out more about REF 2029.