Queensland University of Technology's (QUT) School of Nursing & Midwifery has been recognised for its world-class research in the first comprehensive evaluation of research quality across all Australian universities.
Acting Head of School, Professor Patsy Yates, said it was a great achievement that the school was judged 5 out of 5 in the world rankings, with rankings 3 and above deemed to be world standard.
"We have done better than world standard," Professor Yates said.
"It is recognition of the school's commitment to quality and high-impact research."
The ERA initiative is an assessment of research quality of Australia's higher education institutions, which used a combination of indicators and a review of committees comprising experienced, internationally-recognised experts.
"The recognition is a credit to the things we have put in place over many years, such as building people's capacity, linking in with experts in other disciplines and developing a research training environment," Professor Yates said.
"What it also does is recognise the potential that nursing research has to improve health systems and health outcomes for patients."
Professor Yates said QUT was a world leader in research areas including wound healing and cancer and palliative care.
"These are the areas of research in particular where our research is internationally recognised and published in the highest rating journals," Professor Yates said.
She said the ranking, as well as being an acknowledgement of QUT's expertise, also highlighted the huge opportunity nursing offered to research students.
"We hope that this inspires new research students into the field of nursing," she said.
Professor Yates said QUT's School of Nursing and Midwifery was the longest standing and largest centre for tertiary nursing education in Queensland.
"The school is known for its extensive range of courses, positive graduate outcomes, effective industry linkages, quality PhD program, and high research profile," she said.
"It has an excellent record in funded research, publications, and higher degree completion and our research programs and integration with the Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, enable innovative research that will improve outcomes of care for patients and their families."
The ERA rankings were calculated using a complex array of criteria including journal publications, citations, research income, and esteem factors such as fellowships.
Media contacts:
Sandra Hutchinson, QUT media officer (Tue/Wed), 07 3138 2999 or s3.hutchinson@qut.edu.au
Ian Eckersley, QUT media manager, 07 3138 2361 or ian.eckersley@qut.edu.au
