Published: 04 Sep 2025 | Last Updated: 04 Sep 2025 15:58:12

Jonathan Elliott, Professor in Veterinary Clinical Pharmacology at the Royal Veterinary College has been appointed as a panel member for the Agriculture, Food and Veterinary Sciences unit for the criteria-setting phase of for the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2029.

REF is the national assessment system that evaluates the quality of research in UK higher education institutions. These outcomes are used to inform public funding allocations.

For the first time, panel members were appointed through an open application process, rather than by nomination, designed to reduce barriers and attract a broader, more inclusive pool of candidates. This approach was shaped through collaboration with sector bodies and the REF 2029 People and Diversity Advisory Panel (PDAP), helping to ensure that panels command the trust and confidence of their research communities.

These panel members have undergone a rigorous and open recruitment process and are a highly qualified and diverse group of experts chosen for their expertise in the specific unit discipline. The calibre of the applicants and chosen panellists underlines the enormous strength of UK research. Each of them will have a key role in shaping the REF to support the higher education sector by providing a rigorous, trusted assessment of UK research.

Commenting on his appointment, Professor Jonathan Elliott said:

“Having led the RVC’s submission for the last 3 exercises, it is a privilege for me to be selected to play a part in shaping and assessing REF 2029.  I am committed to helping the REF to drive improvement in the research UK HEIs deliver for this country.”

Reflecting on the process, REF Director Rebecca Fairbairn said:

“It’s been a privilege to work with the sector bodies and panel chairs on this new, open recruitment approach. I’m grateful for their insight and leadership throughout the process. It’s been inspiring to see the depth, strength, and commitment of the UK’s research community, and I’m very much looking forward to welcoming the new panel members to the team.”

Institutionally. the RVC has a strong historical performance in past REF assessments; with 88% of research outputs being classed as world-class in REF 2021

https://www.rvc.ac.uk/research/our-impact/ref-2021

For media enquiries, please contact:

• rvc@plmr.co.uk 
• Press Line: 0800 368 9520

About the RVC

• The Royal Veterinary College (RVC) is the UK's largest and longest established independent veterinary school and is a Member Institution of the University of London.  
• It is one of the few veterinary schools in the world that hold accreditations from the RCVS in the UK (with associated recognition from the AVBC for Australasia, the VCI for Ireland and the SAVC for South Africa), the EAEVE in the EU, and AVMA (probationary) in the USA and Canada. 
• The RVC is ranked as the top veterinary school in the world in the QS World University Rankings by subject, 2025.  
• The RVC offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in veterinary medicine, veterinary nursing and biological sciences.  
• The RVC is a research-led institution, with 88% of its research rated as internationally excellent or world class in the Research Excellence Framework 2021. 
• The RVC provides animal owners and the veterinary profession with access to expert veterinary care and advice through its teaching hospitals and first opinion practices in London and Hertfordshire.