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QAA announces Chairs and Deputy Chairs to lead reviews of Subject Benchmark Statements in 2025-26

Date: November 20 - 2024
QAA has announced the appointment of new Chairs and Deputy Chairs to lead the review of six Subject Benchmark Statements in 2025-26. This follows an expression of interest phase earlier this year with successful appointments having been made from QAA Member institutions across the UK.

Subject Benchmark Statements, which have been drafted and published by QAA for more than two decades, describe the nature of study and the academic standards expected of graduates in specific subject areas.

They show what graduates can reasonably be expected to know, do and understand at the end of their studies.

Chairs and Deputy Chairs lead the development of Statements in their subject areas, alongside their Advisory Groups, to ensure these Statements serve as valuable resources for discipline communities and inform a range of key purposes – including as reference points in the design, delivery and review of academic courses. The process of creating and reviewing subject benchmarks is facilitated by QAA.

‘We’re hugely grateful to our colleagues across the sector who devote their time, energy, expertise, enthusiasm and commitment to this highly valued work,’ says Andy Smith, Quality & Standards Manager at QAA. ‘We very much look forward to supporting these teams.’

The following Chairs and Deputy Chairs have been appointed to lead their respective Subject Benchmark Statement reviews:

Architecture

  • Chair: Ms Kate Cheyne, University of Westminster
  • Deputy Chair: Professor Des Fagan, Lancaster University
  • Deputy Chair: Dr Helen O’Connor, University of Dundee
  • Deputy Chair: Dr Matthew Richard Jones, University of the West of England

Art & Design

  • Chair: Dr Hua Dong, Brunel University London
  • Deputy Chair: Ms Rose Gridneff, University of Glasgow
  • Deputy Chair: Ms Nickie Hirst, University of Southampton

History of Art, Architecture & Design

  • Chair: Dr Péter Bokody, University of Plymouth
  • Deputy Chair: Dr Paul Alexander Stewart, Teesside University

Social Policy

  • Chair: Dr Lee Gregory, University of Nottingham
  • Deputy Chair: Professor Stephen Sinclair, Glasgow Caledonian University
  • Deputy Chair: Dr Enrico Reuter, University of York

Sociology

  • Chair: Miss Liz Cain, Manchester Metropolitan University
  • Deputy Chair: Professor Philippa Velija, Roehampton University

Social Work

  • Chair: Ms Andrea Collins, Manchester Metropolitan University
  • Deputy Chair: Ms Yvalia Febrer, Kingston University
  • Deputy Chair: Dr Denise MacDermott, Ulster University
To ensure that subject benchmark reviews take into account a diverse and broad spectrum of ideas, opinion and experience, each subject area has its own Advisory Group, comprising members of the academic community, employers, Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Bodies (PSRBs), and students.   

You can find out more about QAA’s work on Subject Benchmark Statements on our website.