Person specification: Chairs and Deputy Chairs for QAA Subject Benchmark Statements Advisory Groups
Publication date: 12 Sep 2025
Chairs and Deputy Chairs for QAA Subject Benchmark Statements
QAA leads the development and review of Subject Benchmark Statements. These Statements are reviewed on a cyclical basis to ensure they are current and as useful as possible for discipline communities in order to fulfill a range of purposes, such as securing academic standards in course design and review.
We are inviting expressions of interest from the academic and subject community to act as Chairs and Deputy Chairs for the following subjects:
- Events, Hospitality, Leisure and Tourism
- Paramedics
- Sports and Exercise Sciences
- Cymraeg/Welsh
- Dietetics
- Materials
- Youth and Community Work
This will be followed by an open call for expressions of interest to join the Advisory Groups as members in December 2025.
Chair and Deputy Chair selection and membership
QAA is committed to ensuring that the roles of Chair and Deputy Chair reflect the rich diversity of the subject communities they represent. We recognise the positive benefits of equity, diversity and inclusion. Our aim is to be truly representative of all sections of society, and for all to feel respected, free to be themselves no matter what their identity or background, and able to give their best. We value the differences that a variety of backgrounds, experiences, perspectives, and skills bring and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants to apply.
Expectations and commitment
The roles of Chair and Deputy Chair require a high level of commitment to ensure that the Subject Benchmark Statement (SBS) is developed and published to an agreed timeframe.
Chairs will be required to chair online Advisory Group meetings and delegate responsibilities for writing sections of the SBS to sub-groups within the main Advisory Group. Experience of editing, consolidating multiple contributions into a single report, writing clearly and succinctly for a range of different audiences, and working to deadlines are essential elements of the Chair’s role.
Reviewing and publishing existing SBSs usually takes between 15 and 18 months and you will need to make a commitment for the whole period of the review. Please note that there is no remuneration for the roles of Chair or Deputy Chair on a QAA Advisory Group.
Key dates and milestones
| February 2026 | First Advisory Group meetings |
| February - July 2026 | Review and drafting phase including regular (usually six) Advisory Group meetings |
| September - November 2026 | Consultation phase including an open consultation with the subject community and other interested parties |
| November 2025 - January 2027 | Post-consultation analysis of responses and adjustment of the Statement |
| March - April 2027 | Publication of revised Statements |
Additions to the Statements
QAA is committed to ensuring the Statements reflect developments in the subject communities and agendas in the higher education sector. The Statements will include consideration of the following topics, so we are keen to hear from the academic community who have both subject expertise and awareness or experience in one or more of the following areas:
- Education for sustainable development
- Equality, equity, diversity and inclusivity - with a focus both on inclusion in the context of curriculum content and student characteristics
- Accessibility and the requirements of disabled students
- Enterprise and/or entrepreneurship education
- Generative artificial intelligence
How to submit an expression of interest
If you would like to be considered for the role of Chair/Deputy Chair, please submit an expression of interest via our online survey evidencing how you meet the person specification. You also have the option to complete an expression of interest in Welsh here.
Please do not only submit a list of past roles and publications, but instead use the space available to draw out the best examples of evidence that support your claims to the required attributes and experience.
A Microsoft Word version of the expression of interest questions is available to help you prepare your submission. The deadline to submit an expression of interest is Friday 17 October 2025 at midday.
Key documents
EOI survey questions: Chairs and Deputy Chairs of QAA Subject Benchmark Statement Advisory Groups
Publication date: 12 Sep 2025
Further information
For enquiries relating to Subject Benchmark Statements, please contact qualityandstandards@qaa.ac.uk.