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The Expert Review Network (TERN)

What is TERN?

TERN was established in 2020 for our open research funding processes, that we call ‘response-mode funding’. It's made up of people affected by MS and people with scientific, clinical and other expertise across MS research. All aspects of MS research are covered, from developing new symptom management programmes to uncovering what causes progression.

Read more about our research priorities

TERN members review funding applications, in addition to external reviewer comments where necessary. You can read our guidance for reviewers to find out how an application is considered (see 'MS Society Peer Review guidance' in the sidebar).

At the end of our funding rounds, we choose members of TERN with the right expertise to form our funding review panels. And we can invite guest panel members if extra expertise is required. Each round has its own person who leads the panel, called the Chair. These panels discuss the highest quality applications, then recommend those that should receive funding from us. You can download a list of our current TERN members from the sidebar.

Read more about our different types of research funding

Our current Review Panel Chairs

Our Chairs are invited to serve for three years. Once their first term has finished, we can ask them to stay on for another three years.

Catalyst Awards Chair

Professor Patrick Lewis, Royal Veterinary College, University of London (2021-2024)

Project Awards Chair

Professor Roxana Carare, University of Southampton (2022-2025)

Career Development Chair

Professor Sue Pavitt, University of Leeds (2021-2024)

TERN membership

Current TERN members

This list of current TERN members was last updated in August 2023.

  • Ahmed Toosy (University College London)
  • Anna Williams (University of Edinburgh)
  • Anne Baron van Evercooren (Universite Pierre et Marie Curie, France)
  • Annie Hawton (University of Exeter)
  • Carla Taveggia (Institute of Experimental Neurology, San Raffaele Hospital, Italy)
  • Cinthia Farina (Institute of Experimental Neurology, San Raffaele Hospital, Italy)
  • Crystal Tait (Research Network)
  • Declan Chard (University College London)
  • Divya Chari (Keele University)
  • Don Mahad (University of Edinburgh)
  • Doreen McClurg (Glasgow Caledonian University)
  • Fiona Aspinal (University College London)
  • Fiona Spencer (Research Network)
  • Gabriele DeLuca (University of Oxford)
  • Ian Newsome (Research Network)
  • Itamar Ronen (Brighton and Sussex Medical School)
  • Jacqueline Krarup (Research Network)
  • James Grist (University of Oxford)
  • James Turton (Research Network)
  • Jet Veldhuijzen van Zanten (University of Birmingham)
  • Jianhua Wu (University of Leeds and Queen Mary University of London)
  • Judy Beveridge (Research Network)
  • Julia Edgar (University of Glasgow)
  • Nicola Woodroofe (Sheffield Hallam University)
  • Mara Cercignani (Brighton and Sussex Medical School)
  • Mara Rocca (Institute of Experimental Neurology, San Raffaele Hospital, Italy)
  • Marga Dominguez-Villar (Imperial College London)
  • Marvin van Luijn (Erasmus University Medical Centre, Rotterdam)
  • Mike Kemp (Research Network)

Read Mike's blog about his experience as a TERN member

  • Mohammad Kouros Hajihosseini (University of East Anglia)
  • Paulo Muraro (Imperial College London)
  • Ruth Dobson (Queen Mary University of London)
  • Sarah Bittlestone (Research Network)
  • Sarah Thomas (Bournemouth University)
  • Stephen Sawcer (University of Cambridge)
  • Stuart Pearce (Research Network)
  • Susan Scott (Research Network)
  • Tanja Kuhlmann (University of Muenster, Germany)
  • Victoria Allgar (University of Plymouth)
  • Yvonne Dombrowski (Queen’s University Belfast)

How can I join TERN?

If you want more information, you can download the TERN Terms of Reference from the sidebar. These explain the roles and responsibilities for TERN members.

You can apply to join TERN at any time, but occasionally we put out a call for new members when we're looking for further expertise. We recruit people affected by MS through our Research Network. We ask researchers to email a CV and Statement of Interest to [email protected]. Any researchers with an interest in MS can apply, whether you are based in the UK or internationally.

We're currently looking for researchers and healthcare professionals with expertise in (but not limited to):

  • imaging techniques (for example MRI, PET)
  • in vitro or ex vivo modelling
  • animal models and the 3Rs
  • implementation science
  • epidemiology
  • genetics
  • psychology
  • rehabilitation
  • neurobiology
  • statistics

You should also read our conflict of interest policy for reviewers, which can be downloaded from the sidebar. 

Last full review:

We also update when we know about important changes.

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