Panel Chairs appointed for the Performance-Based Research Fund Peer Review Panels
The appointment of 12 leading New Zealand academics and researchers to chair the peer review panels being established to
support the implementation of the Performance-Based Research Fund (PBRF) was announced today by Dr Andrew West, Chair of
the Tertiary Education Commission. “Commissioners are pleased that such high calibre academics and researchers are
available to lead the peer review panels. The panels will evaluate the quality of the research contributions of those
involved in teaching degree-level programmes and/or undertaking research in tertiary education organisations. The peer
review process will assess quality based on a variety of measures including research outputs, peer esteem factors and
contribution to the development of new researchers and a vital high-quality research environment,” explained Dr West.
The panels and their chairs are Mâori Knowledge and Development Panel Professor Mason Durie, Assistant Vice-Chancellor
(Mâori), Massey University
Humanities and Law Panel Professor Erik Olssen, James Cook Research Fellow and Emeritus Professor, University of Otago
Social Sciences and Other Cultural/Social Studies Panel Professor Dame Anne Salmond, Distinguished Professor in Social
Anthropology and Mâori Studies; Pro Vice-Chancellor (Equal Opportunities), University of Auckland
Education Panel Professor John Hattie, Professor of Education, University of Auckland
Physical Sciences Panel Professor Richard Walcott, Emeritus Professor, Victoria University of Wellington
Biological Sciences, Agriculture and Environment Panel Professor Carolyn Burns, Professor and Head of Department of
Zoology, University of Otago
Mathematical and Information Technology and Sciences Panel Professor Vernon Squire, Chair of Applied Mathematics and
Head of Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Otago
Engineering, Technology and Architecture Panel Professor Robert Park, Emeritus Professor, University of Canterbury
Medicine and Public Health Panel Professor Patrick Sullivan, Professor of Biochemistry and Head, Institute of Molecular
BioSciences, Massey University
Health Panel Professor Peter Joyce, Professor and Head of Department of Psychological Medicine, Christchurch School of
Medicine & Health Sciences, University of Otago
Management, Economics, Commerce, Business Administration and Marketing Panel
Professor Kerr Inkson, Professor of Management, Massey University
Creative and Performing Arts Panel Professor Peter Walls, Chief Executive, New Zealand Symphony Orchestra (on leave from
Victoria University of Wellington)
The overall aim of the PBRF is to promote the development of lively and productive research cultures producing high
quality research, attractive and effective learning environments for students. Research academics must also be actively
engaged with relevant communities. The fund will also provide real incentives for tertiary organisations to attract and
develop Maori and Pacific researchers. The appointment of Professor Paul Callaghan, Alan MacDiarmid Professor of
Physical Sciences at Victoria University of Wellington, to the role of Chair of the Moderation Panel for the peer review
process was announced earlier this month. Full membership of the twelve panels will be publicly announced in mid March.