The latestExcellence in Research for Australia (ERA) 2018results have highlighted Griffith Science’s success in various broad and specific fields of research, with the University doubling the number of fields earning the highest possible ranking in comparison with its previous outcome three years ago.

Griffith Sciences PVC Prof Andrew Smith.

Griffith’s research has beenranked world-standard or better in19 broad fields of research, with fourfields— Physical Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Environmental Sciences and Technology—receiving the highest possible rating of ‘5’ (well above world standard).

In the specific fields of research, Griffith was rated world standard or above in 59 fields, of which 20 received the highest possible rating of ‘5’ (well above world standard) and another 21 rated at ‘4’ (above world standard).

Griffith Sciences Pro-Vice Chancellor Professor Andrew Smith said the ERA 2018resultsrecognisethe role Griffith Sciences has played in producing important research thatcanmake aglobalimpact.

“These resultsshow both the breadth and depth of our research in the Sciences,” he said.

“Notable cross cutting themes in climate change, catchment management, smart materials, environmental technology and physics have contributed to many of these.”

Griffith Sciences Dean of Research Prof Rebecca Ford.

Griffith Sciences Dean of Research Rebecca Ford said many excellent and internationallyrecognisedresearchers have played significant key roles in this outstanding result.

“Some outstanding Griffith Sciences research includes substantial and ongoing research into quantum dynamics; water management and quality assessment including threats to the Great Barrier Reef; machine vision and robotic automation of agricultural systems; renewable energy production; transport solutions to fast growing cities; human evolution and the origins of Australia’s first people; coastal management; novel compounds and drug discoveries for disease control; new materials and sensors for detecting disease pre-cursors; and modeling adaptations of small island nations to the impacts of climate change.”

Vice Chancellor and President Professor Carolyn Evans said the results of the ERA 2018 research assessment exercise reflected Griffith’s growing comprehensive research profile.

“Our research is having transformational impact from laying the theoretical foundations for quantum computing to helping develop new methods to prevent youth re-offending to developing new materials to improve energy efficiency,” she said.

Among the top 20 specific fields of research rated at ‘well above world standard’(5) that Griffith Sciences has excelled in are:

  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Optical Physics
  • Quantum Physics
  • Inorganic Chemistry
  • Macromolecular and Materials Chemistry
  • Physical Chemistry
  • Ecological Applications
  • Environmental Science & Management
  • Ecology
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Nanotechnology
  • Materials Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering

Griffith Sciencesalso hasa large number offields performing at the ‘above world standard’ rating (4). These areas include Biological Sciences, Engineering, Medicinal and Biomolecular Chemistry, Physical Geography and Environmental Geoscience, Soil Sciences, Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Microbiology, Agriculture, Land and Farm Management, Artificial Intelligence and Image Processing, Environmental Engineering, Electric and Electronic Engineering,andArchaeology and Historical Studies.

Evaluated by the Australian Research Council, ERA rates research areas 1-5 based on their level of excellence, with ‘5’ the highest.

For more information about ERA’s broad fields of research and specific fields of research, also known as two-digit and four-digit fields, visithttp://www.arc.gov.au/era/