Research EvaluationResearch Evaluation is being considered in the context of the Government’s response to the Australian Universities Accord.The previous evaluation exercise, Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) and Engagement and Impact (EI), have ceased. The historical results from those exercises remain available on this website along with their explanatory material.For more information on the ARC’s new approach to research evaluation. Excellence in Research for AustraliaThe ARC previously administered Australia’s national research assessment, Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA). ERA identified and promoted excellence across the full range of research in Australia’s higher education institutions.Through ERA the ARC identified excellence in research. It did this by comparing Australia's university research against international benchmarks. This created incentives to improve the quality of research.The first round of ERA, and the first nationwide assessment of research disciplines in Australia, was conducted in 2010. The ARC published the results in early 2011. ERA assessments were conducted in 2012, 2015, and 2018. The 2023 ERA round did not proceed.You can read each of the ERA Reports and ratings for each field of research at each institution are available on the ARC Data Portal. Key documents for previous ERA rounds (2010, 2012, 2015 and 2018) are available at Archived Material. In 2020-21, the ARC conducted a comprehensive review of ERA and the Engagement and Impact Assessment, a companion exercise, to ensure our national assessments addressed Australia's future needs. The ERA EI Review Final Report 2020-2021 is available PDF format – Word format.ARC Data PortalThe ARC Data Portal contains:the ERA 2018 National Reportthe Gender and the Research Workforce ReportResearch Outputs—metadata for the research outputs submitted by universities for ERA 2018Outcomes— ERA ratings for each field of research at each institution for ERA 2018, ERA 2015, ERA 2012, and ERA 2010.ERA BackgroundWhat were the objectives of ERA?ERA aimed to:Promote excellence: Rigorously assess research quality to promote pursuit of excellence across all fields and all types of research.Inform decisions: Provide a rich and robust source of information on university research excellence and activity to inform and support the needs of university, industry, government, and community stakeholdersDemonstrate quality: Provide government and the public with evidence of the quality of research produced by Australia’s universitiesEnable comparisons: Allow for comparisons between Australian universities and against world standard for all discipline areas.How were the disciplines defined?For ERA, the ARC defined disciplines as two-digit and four-digit Field of Research (FoR) codes using the Australian and New Zealand Standard Research Classification (ANZSRC). For more information about ANZSRC, contact the ABS National Information and Referral Service on 1300 135 070, or visit Australian and New Zealand Standard Research Classification.What did the ERA outcomes tell us?ERA evaluated performance within each discipline at each university. It provided a view of Australian research, from quantum physics to literature. It highlighted our research strengths across all disciplines in areas of critical importance. ERA results also highlighted the research strengths of individual universities. National Report data provides contextual information about research application, knowledge exchange and collaboration.What were some of the benefits of ERA?ERA provided reliable data about the quality of research in the higher education sector that:allowed research managers and investors to identify and reward research excellence.assured Australian taxpayers that their investment in research is well spentallowed research managers and investors to identify opportunities for further development or investmentfacilitated strategic planning to further strengthen Australia's research capabilitieshelped promote Australia's research strengths on the world stage.Government, universities, and other stakeholders used ERA data and outcomes. For example, many universities included ERA results in their annual reports and strategic plans. And universities used ERA outcomes to promote their research strengths, here and abroad.By taking part in ERA, universities reported improvements in the quality of their own research data holdings.How was ERA data used?ERA data was of interest to government, universities, industry, and prospective students. Data from current and previous ERA rounds provided valuable information. For example, ERA data:informed a range of policy advice and initiatives across governmentassisted institutions with their strategic planning, decision-making, and promotional activityprovided students, industry and other stakeholders fine-grained, discipline-based information not available elsewhere.Where can ERA presentations be found?ARC presentations are made available on the website.