In preparation for the 2012 Quality Evaluation, the TEC is establishing a PBRF Sector Reference Group (SRG).
The TEC is also currently undertaking a review of the PBRF as part of the second phase of the PBRF evaluation. A report with the findings of this review will be available in June 2008 and will inform the workings of the SRG as it prepares for the 2012 Quality Evaluation.
Role of the SRG
The SRG will provide advice on what changes, if any, should be made to the design, implementation, timing, nature, and conduct of the Quality Evaluation. Once established, the SRG will:
- meet regularly (via teleconference where necessary);
- review any papers prepared as part of the TEC’s PBRF redesign work, undertaking further analysis as required;
- identify options for resolving issues, and communicate these options in the form of discussion papers for sector feedback; and
- review sector feedback and agree upon recommendations for TEC consideration.
Membership of the SRG
Professor John Hattie, Chair of the Moderation Panel in the 2006 Quality Evaluation, has agreed to take on the role of Chair for the SRG.
As in 2003 and 2006, the SRG will have not more than 15 members. Due to their importance as stakeholders in the PBRF, the New Zealand Vice-Chancellors' Committee (NZVCC) and Association of University Staff (AUS) have both been asked to nominate one SRG member each.
The Chair has contacted all PBRF eligible Tertiary Education Organisations (TEOs) to ask for their nominations. There is no limit to the number of nominations each TEO can make, and all names put forward will form a ‘long list’ from which the Chair and the TEC will select the remaining SRG members.
Person specification
SRG members must be able to:
- contribute to discussions on the basis of their expertise and experience;
- contribute to the development of advice through peer review and, by agreement, produce working papers within their field of expertise;
- maintain confidentiality where required;
- canvass proposals widely within their network of contacts in the sector; and
- work with other SRG members to make recommendations regarding redesign issues to the PBRF Steering Group.
An important principle guiding the work of the SRG is that, while its members will be drawn from a wide range of participating TEOs, their role is not to act as representatives for their respective organisations.
Getting the right balance
The Chair and TEC will ensure that membership of the SRG:
- represents an appropriate range of participating TEOs;
- has an appropriate balance in terms of gender, race, and ethnicity;
- has the knowledge and expertise necessary to provide informed, dispassionate, and reliable advice;
- represents an appropriate range of academic disciplines and academic research managers;
- includes academic staff at different points in their careers; and
- includes some members with a non-academic research background.
In order to ensure a balance of members, the Chair and the TEC may extend membership invitations to other appropriate people as required.
Next steps
Once the membership of the SRG has been decided, a first meeting will be held on 28 March 2008 to approve its Terms of Reference, agree on a scope of the work required, and outline a schedule for future meetings. The second meeting is scheduled for 9 May 2008.