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Is it reasonable for me to expect my university to give me some time to fulfil my role as a panel member for the research assessment exercise? I cannot see how I will be able to do the work required of a panel member unless I have some relief from my university duties

* Our panellist from the Association of University Teachers says: "There are 900 panel members as part of the RAE, and the institutions and departments at which members are employed enjoy a certain amount of prestige as a result.

"Peer-review work is also a key part of the academic role.

Therefore, although there may be no formal agreement in place, we would expect institutions to make allowances in relation to workload allocation to those members of staff involved in RAE panel work."

She adds: "The duties placed on RAE panel members are pretty labour-intensive, and in the last exercise concern was raised over workload expectations of the panels. In response to this, the funding councils have promised additional administrative support for the 2008 exercise.

Institutions should also be assisting with administrative support for their staff who are directly involved in this way."

* Our panellist from Natfhe adds: "The answer must be yes. Being a panel member is a mark of esteem, and your university should value it. It will also be a valuable development experience that will have potential value for your department with regard to knowledge and understanding of a professional field in terms of current research and scholarship. Without doubt it will also be a time-consuming role, and the university should see this as just the sort of development opportunity for you and benefit to the institution that entirely justifies reserved time to undertake this role."

* Our panellist for the Universities and Colleges Employers' Association says: "Members of academic staff are encouraged to undertake additional academic activities related to teaching, research and enterprise where these provide development for the individual and benefit the institution.

"Acting as a member of an RAE panel could be one such activity.

However, it is important that these duties do not interfere with the basic responsibilities of a post, and that the institutions' policy on this is followed."

* Our panellist from Research Councils UK says: "I am a little surprised that you agreed to undertake this role without having sorted this out. The RAE is well established. Draft panel guidance for the current exercise was available in July 2005 and this outlined evidence, criteria and working methods."

She adds: "This is not to underestimate the issue. In 2003, a parliamentary scrutiny committee commented that 'increased competition between institutions and financial pressures could generate pressure on institutions to discourage activities such as peer reviewing that are in the interests of science and engineering but not necessarily the reviewer's employer'.

"Moreover, the recent Science and Innovation Framework Next Steps says: 'There is now sufficient evidence to support moving towards a simpler and less burdensome system.'"

But she says: "On the other hand, there are benefits associated with panel membership.

"Draft panel guidance for the RAE itself included 'strong interaction with external stakeholders' as a factor in considering the esteem in which researchers are held. For another panel, the draft esteem measures include 'Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council college membership and similar services for research-funding providers'.

"RAE panel membership must also give you insight into the RAE process and an overview of departments in your discipline."

This advice panel includes the Association of University Teachers, Natfhe, the Universities and Colleges Employers' Association, Research Councils UK, the Equality Challenge Unit and Rachel Flecker, an academic who sits on Bristol University's contract research working party.

Send questions to advicepanel@thes.co.uk