ARMA Brings UK Research Managers Together for REF 2029 Forum

The Association of Research Managers and Administrators (ARMA) brought together research management professionals from across the UK in Manchester on 12 March 2026 for a full-day forum focused on the evolving landscape of the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2029.

The ARMA REF Forum provided a structured opportunity for practitioners to discuss, reflect on, and exchange practical insights on how the sector is preparing for the next REF cycle. Sessions addressed key changes expected in REF 2029 compared with the 2021 exercise, implications for research management teams, and how institutions are beginning to plan their submissions and build their evidence bases.

The forum was attended by ARMA members from universities and research institutions across the UK, and a written summary of the discussions was produced by Jo Lakey, an ARMA Board member and Associate Director at London Business School's Research and Faculty Office.

ARMA has also recently published a draft programme for its annual conference later in 2026 and, earlier in March, completed a Train the Trainer programme delivered in partnership with The Collective, designed to build capacity among research management professionals to deliver peer training within their own institutions. Further details are available on the ARMA website.