This section provides details on the role of the REF steering group and a full membership list. The REF Steering Group comprises members of each of the UK higher education funding bodies. It is chaired by the Director of Research at Research England and serviced by representatives from the REF team. The group has responsibility for matters of policy and the programme of work, agreeing collective recommendations on the high-level framework, and putting these forward to the boards of the funding bodies. The Steering Group signs off key guidance developed by the REF team, provides oversight of key implementation risks, and agrees the draft REF budget to put forward for approval from the funding bodies.
The REF Data Collection Steering Group (DCSG) provides oversight and direction for the development of the REF submissions system. The group's remit includes ensuring that all data required for the framework can be collected from higher education institutions (HEIs), that the data is processed and managed effectively, and can be made accessible to the REF panels.