The Expert Review Network (TERN)

TERN evaluate all research funding applications for scientific quality and relevance to people affected by MS.

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 Katie Lunnon, University of Exeter (2024-2027)

Career Development Awards Chair

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

TERN membership

This list of current TERN members was last updated in July 2024.

  • Ahmed Toosy (University College London)
  • Aileen Ho (University of Reading)
  • 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)
  • Chris Rafaluk (Research Network)
  • Claire Rice (University of Bristol)
  • 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)
  • Fulvio Zaccagna (Cambridge University Hospitals)
  • 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)
  • 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)
  • Karim Kreft (Cardiff University)
  • Laura Edwards (University of Nottingham)
  • 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)
  • Mohammad Kouros Hajihosseini (University of East Anglia)
  • Paulo Muraro (Imperial College London)
  • Pat Poole (Research Network)
  • 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 Crane (Research Network)
  • Susan Scott (Research Network)
  • Victoria Allgar (University of Plymouth)
  • Yvonne Dombrowski (Queen’s University Belfast)

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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