The Astronomy Grants Panel’s role is to:
- assess and make recommendations to the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) Executive on all research grant applications in astronomy, including space science and solar-terrestrial physics covering theory, exploitation and basic technology research
- take account as appropriate of the conclusions of specialist peer review panels, as convened by the Executive, to advise on strategic priorities for science and technology research, together with research requests which are judged (on the basis of cost or propriety) to warrant such separate, in-depth assessment, such as those with a common theme
- make recommendations to the Science Board and to the Science Programme Advisory Committee (SPAC) of the UK Space Agency on research awards. With Science Board and SPAC endorsement, make final recommendations on awards to the STFC Executive
- carry out such other tasks associated with peer review as the Executive might require
Organisational structure
Members from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2026
Astronomy Small Awards Panel
- Professor M Sullivan (Chair), University of Southampton
- Professor M Swinbank (Deputy Chair), Durham University
Astronomy observation
- Dr B Maughan (Chair), University of Bristol
- Dr S Casewell, University of Leicester
- Dr K Coppin, University of Hertfordshire
- Dr N Noel, University of Surrey
- Dr K Pattle, University College London
- Dr M Smith, Lancaster University
Technology expertise
- Dr R Harris, Durham University
- Dr J McCormac, University of Warwick
- Dr H Wang, RAL Space, STFC
Astronomy theory
- Dr D Mulryne (Chair), Queen Mary University of London
- Dr F Antonini, Cardiff University
- Dr A Barker, University of Leeds
- Dr R Izzard, University of Surrey
- Professor R Smith, University of Sussex
- Dr D Tsang, University of Bath
Solar studies and solar-terrestrial physics
- Dr L Ray (Chair), Lancaster University
- Dr A-M Broomhall, University of Warwick
- Dr T Elsden, University of St Andrews
- Dr J Stawarz, Northumbria University
Planetary studies
- Dr L Hallis (Chair), University of Glasgow
- Professor M Anand, Open University
- Dr L Preston, University College London
- Dr B Sanchez-Cano, University of Leicester
Last updated: 31 March 2026