Astronomy Grants Panel

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 2024 to 31 December 2024

Astronomy Small Awards Panel

  • Professor M Sullivan (Chair), University of Southampton
  • Professor M Swinbank (Deputy Chair), Durham University

Astronomy observation

  • Dr R Tojeiro (Chair), University of St Andrews
  • Dr R Bowler, University of Manchester
  • Dr H Cegla, The University of Warwick
  • Dr B Maughan, University of Bristol
  • Dr N Peretto, Cardiff University
  • Dr P Schady, University of Bath

Technology expertise

  • Professor S Doyle, Cardiff University
  • Dr R Harries, Durham University
  • Dr M Tecza, University of Oxford

Astronomy theory

  • Dr D Mulryne (Chair), Queen Mary University of London
  • Dr A Barker, University of Leeds
  • Professor R Dave, The University of Edinburgh
  • Dr R Izzard, University of Surrey
  • Dr Z Leinhardt, University of Bristol

Solar studies and solar-terrestrial physics

  • Professor R Fear (Chair), University of Southampton
  • Professor S Dalla, University of Central Lancashire
  • Professor A Hillier, University of Exeter
  • Professor M Mathioudakis, Queen’s University Belfast

Planetary studies

  • Dr L Hallis (Chair), University of Glasgow
  • Dr N Achilleos, University College London
  • Dr M Balme, The Open University
  • Dr B Sanchez-Cano, University of Leicester

Astronomy Large Awards Panel

  • Professor M Sullivan (Chair), University of Southampton
  • Professor M Swinbank (Deputy Chair), Durham University
  • Professor P Bushby, Newcastle University
  • Professor S Dalla, University of Central Lancashire
  • Professor S Doyle, Cardiff University
  • Dr Vince Eke, Durham University
  • Dr L Hallis, University of Glasgow
  • Dr D Mulryne, Queen Mary, University of London
  • Dr P Schady, University of Bath
  • Dr R Tojeiro, University of St Andrews
  • Dr A Triaud, University of Birmingham
  • Dr P Schady, University of Bath

Astronomy Large Awards Sift Panel: 2023 expressions of interest

  • Professor J Wild (Chair), Lancaster University
  • Professor N Hatch, The University of Nottingham
  • Professor D Steeghs, University of Warwick
  • Dr K O’Brien, Durham University
  • Professor D Bacon, University of Portsmouth
  • Professor M Bate, University of Exeter
  • Professor S Matthews, University College London
  • Dr C Chen, Queen Mary, University of London
  • Professor M Balme, Open University
  • Dr B Sanchez-Cano, University of Leicester

Last updated: 7 February 2024

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