Quality of University of Sydney research confirmed

The University of Sydney today welcomed the news that the quality of its research has been recognised in the latest round of analysis from the Australian Government. 

Today, the Australian Research Council has released its third Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) report, which provides a comprehensive assessment of the quality and breadth of university research.

Results clearly demonstrate the breadth and depth of research excellence at the University of Sydney, with 100 percent of its research rated at, above, or well above world standard.

Outstanding results were achieved across the breadth of the University – including in the humanities, information and computer sciences, life sciences, mathematics, medical and health sciences, physical sciences and social sciences.

In 2012, the University of Sydney’s ranking went from fifth to second in Australia in terms of the number of ‘fields of research’ (FoR) ranked at five, defined as ‘well above world standard’. In 2015 the University remains second in Australia, but has increased the number of FoRs ranked at five by 41 percent. 

Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University, Dr Michael Spence welcomed the news that the University was making a significant contribution to Australia’s quality research output.

“At the University of Sydney we aim both to pursue excellence within each discipline and to produce high‑quality multidisciplinary work that addresses the great challenges faced by our communities today,” Dr Spence said.

“Today’s news confirms that Australia ranks 10th out of 37 OECD nations on share of world publications; seventh in the OECD in our share of the world’s top 1 percent most highly cited publications and fifth on share of highly-cited publications in social sciences and humanities.

“We are very proud of our contribution to Australia’s success.”

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Duncan Ivison said the results underlined the direction set in the University’s Strategic Plan 2016-20.

“There is a growing spirit of ambition across the University of Sydney,” Professor Ivison said.

“Our staff and students want us to aim high. They have told us that they want our research and scholarship to continue to make an original and significant contribution to the pursuit, creation and application of new knowledge and understanding − that our research will ask important and difficult questions and challenge existing paradigms and dogma and contribute to the economic and social wellbeing of Australia.

“Every researcher at Sydney, in their own way, aspires to be a leader in their field in these senses – and today’s result confirms that they are.”