Sector Reference Group – Quality Evaluation 2026

Sector Reference Group – Quality Evaluation 2026

Last updated 30 November 2023
Last updated 30 November 2023

This page provides information on the Sector Reference Group (SRG) for the Performance-Based Research Fund (PBRF) Quality Evaluation 2026. 

The Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) established an SRG to provide advice and recommendations to us on operational changes to the design of the Quality Evaluation 2026. The SRG process ran from September 2021 to October 2023.

The SRG’s recommendations were developed as part of a public consultation process. Agreed recommendations formed the basis of the PBRF Quality Evaluation 2026 Guidelines published in November 2023.

SRG Co-chairs

We ran a nomination process for Co-chairs between 14 April and 12 May 2021, and received 19 nominations. We then appointed Professor Wiremu Doherty (Tūhoe, Ngāti Awa) and Professor Wendy Larner as Co-chairs.

SRG members

We ran a nomination process for membership between 15 July and 27 August 2021. We received 59 nominations from across the sector. We then appointed to the SRG:

  • Dr Clive Aspin (Ngāti Maru, Ngāti Whanaunga, Ngāti Tamaterā), Associate Dean Māori, Senior Lecturer in Health, Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington
  • Dr Maria Baker, Pouwhakahaere Matua CEO, Te Rau Ora
  • Associate Professor Vaughan Bidois, Executive Director Academic, Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi
  • Professor Craig Bunt (Te Ātiawa), Professor of Agricultural Innovation, University of Otago
  • Dr Christine Cheyne, Faculty Research Co-ordinator, Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology (Te Pūkenga)
  • Dr Donna Hendry, PBRF and Publications Manager, University of Otago
  • Professor Robert Jahnke (Ngāi Taharora, Te Whānau a Iritekura, Te Whānau a Rakairoa o Ngāti Porou), Professor of Māori Visual Arts, Toioho ki Āpiti, Massey University
  • Professor Bryony James, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research, Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato University of Waikato
  • Professor Jenny Lee-Morgan (Waikato – Ngāti Mahuta, Te Ahiwaru), Professor of Māori Research, Director of Ngā Wai ā Te Tūī Māori and Indigenous Research Centre, Unitec (Te Pūkenga)
  • Professor Kathryn McPherson, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research, Auckland University of Technology
  • Dr Sereana Naepi, Lecturer, School of Social Sciences, University of Auckland, and Co-chair, Royal Society Te Apārangi Early Career Researchers Forum
  • Professor Steven Ratuva, Director Macmillan Brown Centre for Pacific Studies, University of Canterbury
  • Professor Karen Scott, Faculty of Law, University of Canterbury
  • Associate Professor Yvonne Te Ruki Rangi o Tangaroa Underhill-Sem, Pacific Studies, Te Wānanga o Waipapa, Faculty of Arts, University of Auckland
  • Professor Melinda Webber (Ngāti Whakaue, Ngāpuhi, Ngati Kahu), Tumu, Faculty of Education and Social Work, University of Auckland

SRG Terms of Reference

The first meeting of the Sector Reference Group on 24 September 2021 ratified the Terms of Reference (PDF 651 KB).