City St George’s Strength in Politics, Arts and Social Work Recognised in REF 2029

The primary pillar of higher education advancement is quality research. Quality research plays an important part in developing innovation, generating knowledge and strengthening a university’s capacity to meet the global challenges of health, sustainability and social justice. The UK universities have increased their research configuration over the years, establishing themselves internationally with reputations for excellence, thus greatly contributing to local communities and the world.

As part of this growth, the Research Excellence Framework 2029 (REF 2029) plays a crucial role. It is the UK’s national system for assessing the quality of research in higher education institutions, ensuring that public investment supports impactful and world‑leading work. The outcomes of such implications are very important, directing the research funding allocation of some £2 billion annually. The last set of results was published in 2022; henceforth, this will be transferred into the next cycle, with new panel appointments for the UK REF 2029 shaping the future of research evaluation and funding across the sector.

REF 2029 Sub‑Panel Appointments December 2025

Recently, it was announced that three colleagues from City St George's, University of London had been appointed to the REF 2029 sub‑panels. Among these appointments were Professor Inderjeet Parmar, Professor Laudan Nooshin, and Betty Woessner, who reflected the strength and disciplinary breadth of the university's research in politics, performing arts, and social work.

Such appointments came after earlier involvement of Professor Nooshin, Ms Woessner, and Dr Jessica Jones Nielsen in the REF 2029 People, Culture and Environment Pilot Panels. This is evident in the commitment on the part of the university to promoting fair and inclusive research evaluation across the UK, observers commented.

Politics and International Studies

Professor Inderjeet Parmar, Associate Dean for Research in the School of Policy & Global Affairs, was named as one of the REF 2029 sub‑panel members at City, St George's. He joined Unit of Assessment 19, which reviews research in politics and international studies. He explained that the role was both a privilege and an opportunity to learn from colleagues across the UK university system.

He added that the position would allow him to help shape fair and transparent criteria for assessing research outputs. His expertise in American politics, global order, and the role of think tanks in foreign policy would support the panel in recognising diverse contributions and their real‑world impact.

Creative and Performing Arts

Professor Laudan Nooshin, from the Department of Performing Arts, was appointed to Unit of Assessment 33. She had previously served as a panellist for REF 2021. Her appointment proved her long‑standing contributions to ethnomusicology and her leadership in establishing equitable research cultures.

Her research addresses urban sound studies, film music, popular music, and contemporary music cultures created through an Iranian and the Middle East lens. Commentators noted that her appointment reflected City St George's University of London's research panel strength in music and performing arts. The department scored the highest REF output scores in 2021 in the country.

Social Work and Policy

Betty Woessner, Research Development and Compliance Manager, was appointed panel secretary to Unit of Assessment 20, which will assess research in social work and social policy. She brought with her extensive expertise in impact, systems, and data management for research, having worked at a number of UK universities.

She stated that her role would enhance understanding of REF processes and prepare the institution for the next cycle in accordance with City St George's. Her appointment highlighted the added value brought by world experts within professional services to guarantee transparent and consistent REF procedures.

What REF 2029 Means for UK Higher Education

These City St George's appointment contributions towards REF 2029 include social work, politics and arts appointments, which indicate the role of the university in shaping the UK university research assessment framework. They also highlight how the REF panel recruitment 2025 has been selecting seasoned academics and professionals for rigorous evaluation.

City St George's REF 2025 panel appointments will demonstrate the way REF 2029 affects future research funding across universities in the UK. Contributing to sub‑panels will ensure that staff from City St George's will help appreciate fair assessment of research quality and will enhance the potential for funding to support top‑notch work across disciplines.

Editor’s Note

The appointments of City St George’s fellows to REF 2029 sub‑panels have the greatest significance as far as the university and UK higher education are concerned. Quality research is at the heart of innovation, knowledge creation and confronting the world's biggest challenges. The Research Excellence Framework (REF) recognises this work and funds it publicly. By being appointed to the panels on politics, performing arts and social work, Professors Inderjeet Parmar and Laudan Nooshin, together with Betty Woessner, become major architects of the way research is appraised across the country. Their roles matter because REF outcomes determine how almost £2 billion will be distributed annually to universities, which directly influences the future of research and its impact on society. These appointments further demonstrate City St George's commitment to evaluations that are fair, inclusive and transparent. In simple terms, this puts City St George's at the heart of decisions that will affect research quality, funding and opportunities for years to come, demonstrating the university's strength across disciplines and its contribution to the wider UK university research assessment framework.

As per Skoobuzz, City St George’s appointments to the REF 2029 panels underline the university’s growing influence in shaping national research evaluation. These roles matter because they ensure fair assessment, strengthen the UK’s research reputation, and help secure funding that supports innovation and impact across disciplines.

FAQs

1. What is REF 2029 and how does it impact UK universities?

REF 2029 is the Research Excellence Framework for UK universities. It is the national system that checks the quality of research in higher education. Its results matter because they decide how about £2 billion of public money is shared each year for university research. Good results mean more funding and a stronger reputation for universities.

2. Which universities have academics appointed to REF 2029 panels?

Many UK universities have staff appointed to REF 2029 panels. In December 2025, City, St George’s, University of London announced that three of its colleagues – Professor Inderjeet Parmar, Professor Laudan Nooshin, and Betty Woessner – were chosen. Their appointments show the university’s strength in politics, performing arts, and social work.

3. How are REF 2029 sub-panel members selected?

REF 2029 sub-panel members are chosen for their expertise and experience in specific subjects. Academics and professional staff are invited to join panels so that research can be judged fairly. The process looks for people who can bring knowledge, independence, and a commitment to transparent evaluation.

4. What does being on a REF 2029 panel involve?

Being on a REF 2029 panel means reviewing research outputs from universities, setting fair criteria, and helping to decide how research quality is measured. Panel members work with colleagues across the UK to ensure the process is rigorous, inclusive, and transparent. It is a major responsibility because their decisions influence funding and reputation.

5. Why is REF 2029 important for research funding in UK HEIs?

REF 2029 is important because it directly affects how much money universities receive for research. The results guide the distribution of £2 billion annually, which supports innovation, knowledge creation, and global impact. For higher education institutions (HEIs), strong REF results mean more resources to invest in staff, students, and future projects.