Astronomy Grants Panel

Key facts

The panel's role is to:

• Assess and make recommendations to the 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. These may be convened by the Executive to advise on strategic priorities for science and technology research, and 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.
   
• Take account as appropriate of the conclusions of specialist peer review panels. These may be convened by the Executive to advise on strategic priorities for science and technology research, and 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.
   
• Carry out such other tasks associated with peer review as the Executive might require.

Organisational Structure

Membership as of 01/01/2018

• Prof J Wild (Chair) - University of Lancaster
• Prof L Fletcher (Deputy Chair) - University of Glasgow

AGP: Astronomy Observation

• Prof M Sullivan (Chair) – University of Southampton
• Dr J van Loon – Keele University
• Dr V Wild – University of St Andrews
• Dr A Triaud – University of Birmingham
• Dr M Swinbank – Durham University
• Prof K Blundell – University of Oxford

AGP: Technology Expertise

• Prof M Mathioudakis (ad hoc member) – Queen’s University Belfast
• Dr K O’Brien (ad hoc member) – Durham University
• Mr P Rees (ad hoc member) – UKATC

AGP: Astronomy Theory

• Prof M Haehnelt (Chair) – University of Cambridge
• Prof R Crittenden – University of Portsmouth
• Dr T Rogers – Newcastle University
• Dr J Pittard – University of Leeds

AGP: Solar Studies & Solar Terrestrial Physics

• Prof P Browning (Chair) - University of Manchester
• Dr R Fear – University of Southampton
• Dr D Mackay - University of St Andrews
• Dr S Matthews – MSSL – University College London
• Dr C Watt – University of Reading

AGP: Planetary Studies

• Dr N Bowles (Chair) – University of Oxford
• Prof J Bridges – University of Leicester
• Dr M Galand – Imperial College London
• Dr S Barber – Open University