Organisation

Board

The Board is the supreme governing body of IAQA. The Board comprises a minimum of four senior international experts and a student representative.  All Board members are appointed by the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation for six years, with the exception of the student who is appointed for two years. Student Board members are nominated by the National Union for Icelandic Students (LÍS).

Secretariat

The Secretariat is responsible for operational planning and management of all IAQA activities, including implementing the Quality Enhancement Framework. The Secretariat is accountable to the Board and reports regularly to the Board.

Operational Group

The Operational Group consists of the Board Chair, the Executive Director and the Senior Advisor. The Operational Group meets regularly to discuss operational issues and other ad hoc matters between Board meetings.

Research Evaluation Advisory Committee

The Research Evaluation Advisory Committee (REAC) is an advisory committee to the Board. Its main responsibilities are supporting IAQA in the operation and implementation of the evaluation framework for research management within the QEF, to inform IAQA about latest developments in the area of research and research management within the Icelandic higher education sector, and to provide a platform for mutual sharing of information and rising matters in relation to research and research management between IAQA and the Icelandic higher education sector.

REAC is chaired by an IAQA Board member and includes one member from each HEI, a representative of the Icelandic Science and Innovation Policy Council, a representative of the Quality Forum for Icelandic Universities, a doctoral student and a postdoctoral researcher.

• Andrea Nolan, Chair, Principal & Vice Chancellor of Edinburgh Napier University (from March 2024)
• Piergiorgio Consagra, Doctoral Student, University of Iceland (nominated by the National Union of Icelandic Students)
• Christian Schultze, International Relations and Research Manager, Agricultural University of Iceland
• Elín Díana Gunnarsdóttir, Pro-Rector, University of Akureyri
• Anna Bergljót Gunnarsdóttir, Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Iceland (nominated by the Rectors' Conference). Alternate: Gabriel Marc Marie Jouan, Postdoctoral researcher, Reykjavik University.
• Halldór Jónsson, Director of the Division of Science and Innovation, University of Iceland
• Anna Guðrún Edvardsdóttir, Research Manager, Hólar University
• Kasper Kristensen, Research Manager, Bifröst University
• Hulda Stefánsdóttir, Dean of Academic Development, Iceland University of the Arts
• Kristján Kristjánsson, Director of Research and Information Technology, Reykjavík University
• Freysteinn Sigmundsson, Chair of the Science and Innovation Council
• Sara Stef. Hildardóttir, Project Manager of Research Services and Open Access, National and University Library of Iceland
• Katrín Frímannsdóttir, Director of Strategy and Quality, University of Iceland (nominated by the Quality Council)

Appeals Committee

The Appeals Committee is responsible for processing any appeals request received from an institution which has been reviewed by IAQA, according to IAQA’s Appeals Procedure.

• Barbara Brittingham
• Achim Hopbach
• Padraig Walsh
• A student representative (nominated by LÍS)
• Philipp Winn (alternate member)
• Tatjana Volkova (alternate member)