Griffith Business School has reaffirmed its position as a national research leader, with the latest edition of The Australian Research Magazine recognising the School as Australia’s leading institution in Marketing, Tourism & Hospitality, and Strategic Management.
The prestigious rankings highlight outstanding performance across the past five years, based on a methodology that considers top-tier research publications, citation impact and research volume. The School’s discipline of Marketing maintained the top national position having held it in 2022, 2024 and 2025, while Tourism & Hospitality secured the #1 spot for the second consecutive year. The School also celebrates #1 in Strategic Management, marking excellence in research shaping real-world business transformation.
Griffith Business School Dean (Research), Professor Christopher Fleming said the results speak to the depth and breadth of the research undertaken in pursuit of the School’s vision to create a more prosperous, equitable and sustainable future for all.
“These rankings recognise much more than academic output, they reflect research that empowers industry, informs policy and creates real social and economic outcomes. Behind every publication is a team of scholars, partners and PhD candidates working to solve the most pressing challenges facing business and society. I am immensely proud of our research community and the impact they are making nationally and globally.”
Australia’s top researcher in Marketing
Among this year’s standout achievements, Associate Professor Sara Thaichon has been named Australia’s leading researcher in Marketing, acknowledging her pioneering work at the intersection of artificial intelligence, digital consumer relationships and ethical technology use.
Her current Australian Research Council-funded project investigates the influence of virtual influencers and AI-generated personas on young Australians, with a focus on wellbeing, self-image and digital literacy.
Speaking about her work, Associate Professor Thaichon said,
“We are living in an era where AI and digital platforms shape how people make decisions, connect with brands, and understand themselves. My goal is to ensure these technologies support wellbeing rather than compromise it. By collaborating with industry and policymakers, we can build responsible digital environments that protect users while enabling innovation.”
Tourism research enabling community transformation
The magazine also showcases the impact of the School’s tourism expertise, recognising the work of Associate Professor Brent Moyle, whose research focuses on sustainable economic development in regional and remote communities through tourism.
His projects have supported the establishment of culturally and environmentally significant tourism attractions across Australia.
About the rankings
The Australian Research Magazine 2026 identifies the nation’s top 250 researchers and top performing institutions, using publicly available data to evaluate excellence across eight years of publication and citation analysis. The ranking framework highlights areas of national significance and recognises exceptional pockets of capability that contribute to Australia’s research future.
