University News Last updated 17 July
Rajinder Dudrah, Professor of Cultural Studies and the Creative Industries at Birmingham City University (BCU), has been appointed as Deputy Chair for Sub-panel 25: Area Studies in the UK’s Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2029.
The prestigious national appointment will see Professor Dudrah join a select group of experts tasked with assessing the UK’s research landscape across higher education.
Rajinder joined Birmingham City University in 2016 and has served as the Interim Associate Dean for Research, Innovation and Enterprise in the Faculty of Arts, Design and Media at Birmingham City University (2021).
He was previously Senior Lecturer in Screen Studies at the University of Manchester, where he was the Head of Department of Drama (2007-2010).
In April 2023 Professor Dudrah was honoured by the South Asian Literary Association (USA), with the award of Distinguished Achievement in Scholarship to the Field of South Asian Studies.
This latest appointment will call on Professor Dudrah’s skills and experience to provide insight on the impact of research on user communities and industry.
Speaking about the appointment, Professor Dudrah said: “I am thrilled to be appointed as Deputy Chair of Sub-panel 25 for REF2029 (partnering closely with Chair Professor Susan Hodgett from the University of East Anglia).
"We look forward to working with colleagues from across the sector to explore the research and impact undertaken in Area Studies at UK universities. As a panel we will really enjoy learning from the wonderful work our colleagues have undertaken in recent years.”
REF panel Chairs and Deputy Chairs will appoint panel members and assessors, lead their units of assessment through the criteria setting phase, beginning later this year, and on through to the final assessment across outputs, impact, and people, culture and environment.
Nicholas Gebhardt, Associate Dean of BCU’s Faculty of Arts, Design and Media, said: “Professor Dudrah’s latest appointment is a clear recognition of his academic distinction and commitment to public engagement and delivering highly impactful research.
“BCU has always focused on driving research excellence with real-world benefits to the communities we work in. Professor Dudrah’s new role will bring this expertise to the forefront and help ensure that UK research remains world leading.”
REF is the UK’s system for assessing the quality of research in higher education institutions. Sub-panel 25 covers a diverse and interdisciplinary range of work, from regional studies to global geopolitics, languages, and cultural identities.