Flinders rockets up research excellence rankings

The changing face of Flinders: Vice-Chancellor Professor Colin Stirling in Flinders Laneway.
Stellar performance: Vice-Chancellor Professor Colin Stirling congratulates Flinders researchers for the University’s meteoric rise up research excellence rankings.

Ninety per cent of Flinders University’s research has been ranked at or above world standard in the latest Excellence in Research Australia (ERA) assessment, reinforcing Flinders University’s reputation for high quality research.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Colin Stirling says Flinders has achieved a significant improvement on its 2012 rankings, with “well above” world standard rankings in five fields (three in 2012), and “above” world standards results in 14 fields (five in 2012).

A further 23 fields were ranked at world standard.

“This is an exceptional result for Flinders, confirming our position as a world class research-intensive university, and underscoring our commitment to making a positive difference through our high quality research,” Professor Stirling says.

“These results reflect our leadership in innovation and groundbreaking research that extends beyond our campuses to engage business, industry and the community.

“I congratulate all our dedicated researchers, especially those who have moved up the rankings and achieved at or above world standard. Flinders is particularly delighted with its outstanding performance in the field of health and medical research, and its continued success in nanotechnology, for which it is internationally recognised.

“Our strategic professorial appointments have brought great minds and invigorated research approaches to Flinders and strengthened the expertise we have developed over many decades of research excellence.

“It follows on for our excellent performance in the 2015-16 Times Higher Education world university rankings which saw Flinders named in the world’s top two per cent of universities.”

Highest possible Level 5 ranking achieved in:
• Nanotechnology
• Cardiovascular Medicine and Haematology
• Ophthalmology and Optometry
• Human Movement and Sports Science
• Nutrition and Dietetics

Above World Class level 4 ranking achieved in:

• Applied Mathematics
• Condensed Matter Physics
• Analytical Chemistry
• Physical Chemistry (incl. Structural)
• Plant Biology
• Biomedical Engineering
• Materials Engineering
• Nursing
• Oncology and Carcinogenesis
• Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Criminology
• Psychology
• Performing Arts and Creative Writing
• Historical Studies

World Class level 3 ranking achieved in:

• Atomic, Molecular, Nuclear, Particle and Plasma Physics
• Physical Geography and Environmental Geoscience
• Environmental Science and Management
• Biochemistry and Cell Biology
• Evolutionary Biology
• Microbiology
• Zoology
• Fisheries Sciences
• Information Systems
• Clinical Sciences
• Neurosciences
• Paediatrics and Reproductive Medicine
• Public Health and Health Services
• Applied Economics
• Human Geography
• Policy and Administration
• Sociology
• Law
• Film, Television and Digital Media
• Literary Studies
• Archaeology
• Philosophy
• Religion and Religious Studies

The 2015 ERA evaluation, led by the Australian Research Council assessed research performance conducted in Australia’s higher education sector using a combination of indicators and review by internationally recognised experts. It provides a broad overview referred to as a two digit analysis, and a more detailed four digit assessment.

ERA 2015 two digit level: Flinders 90% at or above world standard (62% in ERA 2012)
ERA 2015 four digit levels: Flinders 78% at or above world standard (74% in ERA 2012) despite a significant increase in the number of fields in which Flinders research was assessed (54 in 2015, 39 in 2012).

“Both the big picture view and the granular analysis show Flinders has made real gains, of which it can be rightly proud” Professor Stirling says.

 

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