Newcastle research excellence shines on world stage
The global impact and quality of the University's research has risen, with 95 per cent now rated ‘at or above world standard’, according to a rigorous and independent international benchmarking assessment.
Released today, the 2018 Excellence in Research Australia (ERA) initiative is an Australian Government-led evaluation of research quality in Universities, administered by the Australian Research Council (ARC).
Conducted every three years, the 2018 results confirm the University of Newcastle remains 8th for research in Australia that is ‘well above world standard’.
Newcastle achieved the maximum possible rating – ERA 5 - ‘well above world standard’ for 30 areas of research, up from 22 areas of research in 2015. Fields of research that achieved the ‘5’ rating for the first time include Environmental Sciences, Biological Sciences, Physical Sciences, Psychology and Cognitive Sciences.
The University received a ‘4’ rating of ‘above world standard’ in a further seven fields of research including Marketing, Human Geography, and Historical Studies; and ‘at world standard’ with a ‘3’ rating in 16 fields including Architecture, Artificial Intelligence and Image Processing, Sociology and Public Health and Health Services.
In total, 53 individual fields of research are rated at or above world standard, representing 95 per of the University of Newcastle’s research.
Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research and Innovation, Professor Deb Hodgson, said today’s ERA results demonstrated the University was continuing on its upward trajectory of research excellence.
“The University of Newcastle can stand proud today with an exceptional assessment of our research. It confirms the work being undertaken by our committed researchers, in a host of important fields, deserves to be on the world stage,” Professor Hodgson said.
“The 2018 results reveal we have 30 fields of research with an ERA rating 5 of ‘well above world standard’, the most we’ve ever achieved in the top category and overall, 95 per cent of Newcastle’s research is rated at or above world standard, a jump from 90 per cent in the 2015 assessment.
“I am pleased the work of so many of my colleagues across the University has been recognised in this valuable exercise.”
Vice-Chancellor, Professor Alex Zelinsky, AO, acknowledged today’s results as a fitting tribute to the dedication of the University’s researchers.
“Today is a proud day for the University of Newcastle as we celebrate the tremendous results in the independent research assessment,” Professor Zelinsky said.
“Not only is the work of our researchers having positive impacts on communities across Australia, and across the globe, our students at the University of Newcastle are being taught by the best in their fields.
“It is particularly impressive to see 100 per cent of our STEMM research areas, and almost 90 per cent of CABLE research areas, rated ‘at or above world standard’. We are committed to leading these important fields of research and today’s ERA results confirm we are at the forefront of this movement.”
The ERA assessment covers six years of research and principally judges the quality of publications.
Minister for Education Dan Tehan released the State of Australian University Research 2018–19: ERA National Report by the Australian Research Council (ARC). For more information on ERA visit www.arc.gov.au
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The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.