David Sweeney

Director (Research, Education and Knowledge Exchange), HEFCE

David is responsible for research policy and funding (including the Research Excellence Framework), knowledge exchange and health policy and various project funds.

A statistician, David worked at two BBSRC research institutes, developing mathematical models of plant growth before moving into senior management in the IT area at Royal Holloway (University of London). He became Vice-Principal in 2004 then joined HEFCE in 2008 as Director (Research, Innovation and Skills).

David was an adviser to the Australian Research Impact Pilot Exercise, and he has also visited many European countries and Hong Kong to advise on research assessment and funding.