According to the Excellence in Research for Australia 2010 evaluation, Griffith's research is world-standard or better in 18 broad fields of research. This places Griffith in the top eight universities of Australia on this indicator.
Griffith University provides an outstanding research environment with almost 93 per cent of researchers in fields of research assessed at world-standard or better.
The University has research activity in all 25 broad fields of research and in 98 per cent of the 157 specific fields of research outlined in ERA, making it one of the most comprehensive and research-intensive universities in Queensland and Australia.
Griffith University is particularly proud of its research in:
- Physical Sciences, specifically Quantum Physics; and
- Dentistry
These disciplines were assessed by the ERA evaluation committee as being "characterised by evidence of outstanding performance well above world standard" and received the highest possible rating of '5'.
The University is also delighted to have a large number of fields performing above world-standard ('4' rating). These areas include condensed matter physics; earth sciences; oceanography; physical geography and environmental geosciences; soil sciences; microbiology; agricultural and veterinary sciences; fisheries sciences; nursing; urban and regional planning; education systems; commercial services; tourism; political science; and law and legal studies.
All of Griffith's ERAratings, as well as those of other universities, can be found on the ARC's website:
The University's ERA2012 submission is due in March 2012
History
Excellence in Research for Australia is a Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research initiative that has been developed and implemented by the Australian Research Council.
ERA aims to identify and promote research excellence, identify emerging research strengths, and allow for national and international comparisons of Australia's research in all disciplines.
In 2009, a trial ERA exercise was run for two discipline clusters - Physical, Chemical and Earth Sciences, and Humanities and Creative Arts. In 2010, a full ERA exercise was administered - submissions were finalised in July.
ERA evaluated research performance in eight discipline clusters according to Field of Research codes. Universities were required to submit data on eligible researchers, research income, research outputs, applied measures (patents, commercialisation income etc), and esteem indicators, as well as background statements. A Research Evaluation Committee for each discipline cluster assessed the information provided and rated each university's research performance for each Field of Research within that cluster, where that university had sufficient research outputs to allow robust assessment.
ERA 2010 results were released by the ARC on 31 January 2011. The Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research announced on 25 October 2010 that a second round of ERA will take place in 2012.