Excellence in Research Australia (ERA)

ERA is a national system, developed by the Commonwealth Government and being run by the Australian Research Council (ARC), to evaluate the quality of research in all Australian universities.

ERA results show RMIT research continues to grow

The quality of RMIT University research has been highlighted by "above world standard" results in 19 disciplines in the 2012 round of the Excellence in Research Australia (ERA) exercise.

Professor Daine Alcorn, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research and Innovation and Vice-President (login required), congratulated all RMIT researchers, particularly those who achieved outcomes at or above world standard.

The 2012 round of the ERA assessment is the second nationwide analysis of research quality conducted in Australia, undertaken by the Australian Research Council.

Professor Alcorn said that RMIT's Research and Innovation Plan 2011 - 2015 placed a significant emphasis on research that was global, urban and connected with industry and the community.

"These results reflect the continuing growth of RMIT as a research institution, committed to high-quality and high-impact research. Our research is focussed in our areas of strength and enhanced by our cross-disciplinary approach. Our four research institutes' involvement in CRCs and Centres of Excellence and many collaborations and partnerships with industry and government broaden the scope and impact of our research."

More than 8,000 publications and other research outputs were assessed by the ARC in 40 of the 157 four-digit Field of Research codes in the ERA submission, which is a testament to RMIT's research focus.

Outcomes

Above world standard

The outcomes underline RMIT's status as a global university of technology and design, with "above world standard" results in the following disciplines:

  • Architecture (well above world standard)
  • Clinical Sciences (well above world standard)
  • Human Movement and Sports Science (well above world standard)
  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Applied Mathematics
  • Artificial Intelligence and Image Processing
  • Building
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Cultural Studies
  • Design Practice and Management
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering
  • Information Systems
  • Materials Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Medical Physiology
  • Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences
  • Physical Chemistry (including Structural)
  • Urban and Regional Planning
  • Visual Arts and Crafts

At world standard

RMIT research was judged to be at world standard in the following 15 disciplines:

  • Analytical Chemistry
  • Chemical Engineering
  • Civil Engineering
  • Communication and Media Studies
  • Curriculum and Pedagogy
  • Environmental Science and Management
  • Film, Television and Digital Media
  • Food Sciences
  • Law
  • Marketing
  • Other Biological Sciences
  • Policy and Administration
  • Public Health and Health Services
  • Sociology
  • Specialist Studies In Education

Other

At a broader cluster level RMIT’s quality was further reinforced with the following research areas being assessed as at or above world standard:

  • Biological Sciences
  • Built Environment and Design
  • Chemical Sciences
  • Engineering
  • Environmental Sciences
  • Information and Computing Sciences
  • Language, Communication and Culture
  • Law and Legal Studies
  • Mathematical Sciences
  • Medical and Health Sciences
  • Physical Sciences
  • Studies in Creative Arts and Writing
  • Studies in Human Society