Three quarters of Flinders University’s research has been ranked world-standard or better in the Federal Government’s Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) assessment.

The University achieved “above world standard” results in nine research fields, with three areas – nanotechnology, ophthalmology and optometry, and cardiovascular medicine and haematology – ranked “well above” the world standard.

The 2012 ERA evaluation, led by the Australian Research Council, assessed research performance conducted in Australia’s higher education sector from 2005 to 2010 using a combination of indicators and review by internationally-recognised experts.

As part of the nationwide analysis, every active research  cluster at every university across Australia was evaluated on a five-point scale, with one being well below world standard, three at world standard and five well above world standard.

Of the 60 fields of research assessed at Flinders, the University received an impressive report card consisting of three well above world standard rankings, six above world standard scores and a further 33 judged at world standard.

Aside from the University’s three top performing clusters, other areas of research strength included; physical chemistry, pharmacology and pharmaceutical sciences, psychology, technology, plant biology and zoology.

Flinders University Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor David Day (pictured) congratulated all Flinders researchers, especially those who achieved outcomes at or above world standard.

“This is an encouraging result for Flinders, underpinning our position as a research-intensive university committed to high-quality, high-impact research outputs,” Professor Day said.

“As a forward-thinking university, our research efforts are focused on breaking new ground and leading innovation, with research that spans far beyond the University and connects both industry and the wider community,” he said.