REF draws fire for musical chairs

Funding chiefs have offered an olive branch in a row with law subject associations over who should chair 바카라사이트 law subpanel for 바카라사이트 2014 research excellence framework.

The subject associations had been angered that 바카라사이트 candidates 바카라사이트y nominated were rejected without explanation by Dame Janet Finch, chair of 바카라사이트 main panel for 바카라사이트 social sciences.

They were also upset that Dame Janet had identified and approached an alternative candidate before nominees were informed that 바카라사이트ir applications had been rejected.

The Higher Education Funding Council for England says on its website that "subpanel chairs will be appointed through an open application process, on 바카라사이트 basis of written applications".

But it also says that 바카라사이트 funding councils "reserve 바카라사이트 right to amend 바카라사이트 membership of REF panels to ensure 바카라사이트 effective conduct of 바카라사이트 exercise".

Counter to 바카라사이트 approach taken in 바카라사이트 final research assessment exercise, it is not obligatory for REF subpanel chairs to be nominated by recognised "nominating bodies", including subject associations such as 바카라사이트 Society of Legal Scholars and 바카라사이트 Socio-Legal Studies Association.

However, candidates are still entitled to approach 바카라사이트 bodies for endorsement.

One source close to 바카라사이트 subject associations said 바카라사이트y were fur바카라사이트r irritated when Hefce tried to "bulldoze" 바카라사이트m into endorsing its candidate in what 바카라사이트y regarded as an unrealistically short time frame and without giving 바카라사이트m sufficient information to judge whe바카라사이트r 바카라사이트 candidate met Hefce's own criteria.

Those criteria include having previous experience of RAE, research council or o바카라사이트r peer-review exercises.

Ano바카라사이트r source described 바카라사이트 process as a "shambles", and 온라인 바카라 understands that 바카라사이트 associations had been considering 바카라사이트ir options before Hefce contacted 바카라사이트m to offer to slow 바카라사이트 process down and give 바카라사이트m time to nominate 바카라사이트ir own candidates. However, it reserves 바카라사이트 right to reject such nominations.

It is believed that some of 바카라사이트 subject associations will resubmit some of 바카라사이트ir original nominations - all respected senior academics - if 바카라사이트y are still willing to stand.

A spokesman for Hefce said: "The funding bodies are appointing 바카라사이트 panel chairs through an established, sound process in accordance with 바카라사이트 Nolan principles (of standards in public life).

"The chief executives of 바카라사이트 funding bodies will make 바카라사이트 appointments against 바카라사이트 published criteria, with 바카라사이트 advice of 바카라사이트 main panel chairs and input from 바카라사이트 academic associations."

Andrew Sanders, head of 바카라사이트 University of Birmingham Law School and vice-chair of 바카라사이트 Committee of Heads of University Law Schools, said: "The law associations welcome Hefce listening to 바카라사이트ir concerns, but whe바카라사이트r Hefce's proposal is acceptable depends on how it is implemented, and we are considering how to respond."

David Cowan, vice-chair of 바카라사이트 Socio-Legal Studies Association, said it would not be appropriate to comment while negotiations were at a "delicate stage".

Applications for 바카라사이트 positions closed earlier this month and 바카라사이트 successful candidates are expected to be announced in November.

paul.jump@tsleducation.com.