Two Durham researchers appointed to lead REF 2029 sub-panels

Professors Martin Cann and Richard Crisp have been appointed to leadership roles on expert sub-panels that will assess UK universities’ research for the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2029.

What is REF 2029?

The Research Excellence Framework (REF) is the UK’s system for assessing the quality of research in UK higher education institutions. It took place in 2014 and 2021, and the next exercise is planned for 2029.

In 2021, 90% of Durham research was rated as world-leading or internationally excellent.

For REF 2029, 34 expert sub-panels will assess research in a particular subject.

Professor Cann, Head of our Department of Biosciences, will chair the Biological Sciences sub-panel, and Professor Crisp, from our Department of Psychology, has been named deputy chair of the Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience sub-panel.

The chairs and deputy chairs will lead their units of assessment through setting criteria, which will take place later this year, and through to the final assessment.

REF Director Rebecca Fairbairn said the chairs and deputy chairs were an outstanding group, with deep expertise and broad perspectives.

About Professor Martin Cann

Professor Cann is Head of our Department of Biosciences and is also a Visiting Professor in our Department of Chemistry. His research focuses on carbon dioxide sensing and understanding how this important gas impacts on cell function. He is a Fellow of the Royal Societies of Biology and Chemistry, as well as the Wolfson Research Institute for Health and Wellbeing.

About Professor Richard Crisp

Professor Crisp is a Psychological and Behavioural Scientist. His research focuses on social influence, and how to optimise the efficacy of persuasive communications. Having joined Durham in 2017, he served as Head of our Department of Psychology until 2022, then Deputy Provost and Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost. He is a Fellow of the Durham Research Methods Centre.

Find out more

• Read the full Research Excellent Framework announcement.
• Find out more about Professor Martin Cann.
• Find out more about Professor Richard Crisp.
• Our Department of Biosciences is ranked fifth in the UK in the Complete University Guide 2025.Visit our Biosciences webpages for more information on our undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. 
• Our Department of Psychology is ranked 84th in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025. Visit our Psychology webpages for more information on our undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.   
• Visit the Wolfson Research Institute for Health and Wellbeing and the Durham Research Methods Centre.