Sarah Smith (Bristol) and Brit Grosskopf (Exeter) have been appointed as the Chair and Deputy Chair respectively to the Economics and Econometrics Sub-Panel for the UK's Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2029

Appointments have been made for the leadership positions of the 34 expert sub-panels that will assess research in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2029. The selected chairs and deputy chairs will guide their units through the assessment process. The full panels, which should represent a diverse range of expertise in each field, will be announced in summer 2025.

The REF is managed by Research England in collaboration with other UK higher education funding bodies to promote a world-class research environment and allocate research funding effectively. The REF aims to evaluate research excellence in UK higher education providers, influencing the allocation of approximately £2 billion annually for universities' research. 

Specifically, for Sub-panel 16: Economics and Econometrics, Sarah Smith a Professor of Economics at the University of Bristol has been appointed as the Chair, with Brit Grosskopf from the University of Exeter as the Deputy Chair. Both bring extensive experience and expertise to their roles. 

Sarah Smith, brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her role as the Chair of the economics and econometrics Sub-Panel. Sarah's career has been marked by significant contributions to the field of economics, having held positions at renowned institutions such as the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS), the Financial Services Authority (FSA), HM Treasury, and the London School of Economics (LSE). She is also a Research Associate at the IFS and a Research Fellow at the Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR). In addition to her academic achievements, Sarah is known for her commitment to promoting diversity and inclusivity in economics. She is the founder and co-chair of Discover Economics, a campaign aimed at increasing diversity among economics students. Sarah was awarded an OBE in the 2022 Queen's Birthday Honours for services to economics and education. Her impactful work extends to various roles on esteemed committees and advisory panels, reflecting her leadership and influence within the economics community.

Brit Grosskopf, the newly appointed Deputy Chair of the Sub-panel, brings a unique blend of expertise in experimental economics and psychology to her role. Originally from Germany, Brit completed her PhD in Social Preferences and Learning in Experimental Games at the Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona. Her academic journey has taken her to esteemed institutions such as Harvard Business School and Texas A&M University before joining the University of Exeter. Brit's research interests lie at the intersection of economics and psychology, focusing on individual and group behavior, social preferences, reasoning, learning, reputation, identity, and happiness. Her innovative use of experimental methods has garnered research support from prestigious organizations such as the National Science Foundation, the British Academy, and the Russell Sage Foundation. Brit's leadership in experimental economics is highlighted by her role as the founder of the Birmingham Experimental Economics Laboratory (BEEL) at the University of Birmingham. 

Speaking of the appointments across all 34 fields, REF Director Rebecca Fairbairn said: “I’m delighted to welcome this outstanding group to lead the REF 2029 sub-panels. Their deep expertise and broad perspectives will be central to building an assessment process that is fair, rigorous, and trusted by the research community. We have been working in partnership with the sector throughout this process, and I’m grateful to everyone who expressed interest – your engagement is what strengthens the credibility and value of the REF across our research landscape.”

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_{^{Image Credits: University of Bristol / Behavioural and Experimental Economists (BEE) UK / REF 2029}}