Academic research evaluation in Australia: some implications of proposed higher education reforms

Australia's system for evaluating publicly funded academic research has been characterised by a number of difficulties. Firstly, the institutions primarily involved in carrying out research activities (universities) have been largely excluded from national evaluation processes. Secondly, while academic research generally has become more user-oriented, user input to evaluation has been minimal. Recent proposals outlined in a higher education ‘green paper’ and a subsequent government policy statement foreshadow some major changes for the higher education research system. These changes have important implications for an emerging national system for evaluation of publicly funded higher education research.