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PBRF Sector Reference Group for the Quality Evaluation 2025: call for member nominations

PBRF Sector Reference Group for the Quality Evaluation 2025: call for member nominations

Last updated 15 July 2021
Last updated 15 July 2021

In preparation for the Performance-Based Research Fund (PBRF) Quality Evaluation in 2025, the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) is pleased to announce that we are now inviting nominations for Sector Reference Group (SRG) membership. In consultation with the SRG Co-chairs Professor Wiremu Doherty (Tūhoe, Ngāti Awa) and Professor Wendy Larner, we will look to appoint approximately 14 members from across the sector.

The government has announced a number of changes to the Quality Evaluation following the outcomes of the PBRF independent review and subsequent consultation on its recommendations by the Ministry of Education. These changes reflect Government’s equity and wellbeing objectives, vision for a sustainable and diverse research workforce, and commitments to Māori-Crown partnership. They provide the TEC with a clear mandate to find ways to make the Quality Evaluation more inclusive, equitable, and supportive of a more diverse range of research activity and excellence.

Key changes include increased funding weightings for research submitted to the Quality Evaluation by Māori and Pasifika researchers, and research submitted to the Māori Knowledge and Development and Pacific Research panels. Cabinet has also directed the TEC, in consultation with the SRG, to explore more inclusive definitions of research and research excellence, and to develop broader provisions for recognising the impact of personal circumstances, including for new and emerging researchers.

In light of the recent changes announced, the TEC will work with the Co-chairs to ensure the SRG has the knowledge and expertise necessary to provide informed, impartial, and reliable advice. In particular, we will look to ensure membership provides the right capability, expertise, and experience in kaupapa Māori and Mātauranga Māori, as well as Pacific research. In addition, the SRG will need to reflect an appropriate balance of participating TEOs, research roles, and career stages including early and mid-career, and to reflect Aotearoa New Zealand’s diverse population, particularly with respect to groups that may experience particular disadvantage within the research community, including academics with disabilities.

The SRG process is expected to run from September 2021 to June 2023, when we will finalise updated Quality Evaluation Guidelines.

More information about the PBRF and the nomination process, including background information on the SRG, is available on the TEC website.

Nomination forms are due to PBRF.Help@tec.govt.nz by 5pm on 5 August 2021.