Thriving research environment confirmed by ERA report

The University of Melbourne continues to exceed world standards in research, according to the State of Australian University Research 2018-2019: ERA National Report, released today by the Australian Research Council (ARC).

The ERA report showed that all of the University of Melbourne's broad research fields were assessed as ‘above’ or ‘well above’ world standard.

It’s a similar story when assessing the more specific research sub-fields at the University, with an increase of almost 20 percent in the number of sub-fields assessed as ‘well above’ world standard.

Fields ranging from Language, Communciation and Culture to Chemical Sciences achieved “well above” world standard ratings, reflecting one of the University’s core strengths: the breadth of its research.

Other fields rated as “well above” world standard include: Physical sciences, Mathematical sciences, Economics, Education, and Environmental sciences. Medical and Health Science continues to be a strength of the University’s research program, which is also an indication of the strength of the University’s  collaborations with affiliated Medical Research Institutes and partner organisations.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Jim McCluskey said the latest ERA report recognised the University’s global research credentials.

“It is really gratifying to have the research efforts of the University acknowledged as being above or well above world class in the vast majority of disciplines in which we carry out research,” Professor McCluskey said.

“We are particularly pleased to see the diversity of strong performers covering humanities and social sciences as well as our science and technology and medicine-oriented disciplines.”

Vice-Chancellor Duncan Maskell said the ratings in the ERA report reflect the outstanding efforts of researchers from across the University.

“Our academic staff devote their careers to pursuing discoveries that have a profound impact around the world,” Professor Maskell said.

“In many cases, it is research that leads to economic, social, and environmental benefits. I am very pleased the difference our researchers continue to make to people’s lives is reflected in the ERA report.”

The ERA report is Australia’s national research evaluation framework that identifies and promotes excellence across the full spectrum of research activity in Australia’s higher education institutions.