Peer Review College
Pool of Chairs
Part of the response to NERC Council's Evaluation of the Peer Review College is to set up a Pool of College Chairs.
The current membership of the Pool is:
- Professor Phil Ashworth
University of Brighton - Professor Jeffrey Bale
University of Birmingham - Professor Mike Bickle
University of Cambridge - Professor Lynne Boddy
University of Cardiff - Professor Mike Boots
University of Exeter - Professor John Brodholt
University College London - Professor Penny Johnes
University of Reading - Professor Rob MacKenzie
University of Birmingham - Professor David Marshall
University of Oxford - Professor Richard Owen
University of Exeter - Dr John Remedios
University of Leicester - Professor Judith Smith
University of Leeds - Professor Graham Underwood
University of Essex - Professor Paul Valdes
University of Bristol
Role of the Pool of Chairs
- Chair Responsive Mode and Knowledge Exchange moderating panel meetings, Fellowship sift and interview panels, and other panel meetings as required. The expectation is that each member will chair two to four panels a year. A 'sub-pool' of members will be given primary responsibility for chairing Standard and Consortium Grant moderating panel meetings, to ensure continuity between rounds.
- Work closely with the panel secretary in preparing for each moderating panel meeting. For example, for Standard Grant moderating panels this will include:
- checking that the panel's membership and allocated introducers are appropriate for the list of proposals to be assessed;
- occasionally advising on extra reviewers for proposals; and
- attending a pre-meeting briefing.
- Write a post-panel meeting report for NERC staff and NERC's Science & Innovation Strategy Board (SISB).
- Attend an annual Pool of Chairs meeting.
- Validate the list of new College members to be invited each year.
- Advise on NERC funding policy and process development.
- Give a presentation at training events for new College members.
Chairs will be recruited for a three year term, with a review after the first year. The term may be extended by mutual agreement. If they are not currently members, Chairs will become members of the Peer Review College. They will be given the option to receive honorarium of £1,000 per annum, but will not usually be asked to carry out reviews of grant proposals. Because this is a new role, it is likely to evolve over the next few years.
Chairs will be required to attend an induction meeting and must be able to hold the dates that will be provided for future moderating panel meetings.
Terms and conditions of membership
We will pay College Chairs an honorarium of £1,000 per annum. In return, they must agree to abide by the following terms and conditions:
- Membership of the Pool will normally be for a period of three years. Continuation beyond this period, or earlier withdrawal of membership, is at NERC's discretion and is based upon annual performance reviews.
- All members must abide by NERC's policy on vested interests.
- All members will be expected to attend an induction event and annual meetings of the Pool of Chairs.
- Members will be asked to chair a minimum of two panel meetings a year (including Grant moderating panels, Fellowship sift and interview panels) and must be able to hold the dates that will be provided for future panel meetings.
- No attendance fee is payable but NERC will meet reasonable costs for travel (standard class unless agreed in advance) and accommodation.
- Chairs should be prepared to work closely with the panel secretary in preparing for each moderating panel meeting and attend a pre-meeting briefing (usually on the morning of the panel meeting).
- Chairs will be expected to provide a post-moderating panel meeting report.
- Members should be prepared to validate the list of new College members to be invited each year.
- Members will be asked to advise on NERC funding policy and process development.
- The £1,000 pa honorarium is paid monthly and includes fees for attending meetings. Taxes and National Insurance are payable.
- Because this is a new role, these Terms and Conditions may change as the role evolves.
Please contact us if you have any questions about the Pool of Chairs.