Quality of Massey researchers recognised

The calibre of Massey University researchers has been recognised by the Government’s national ratings system, with a 40 per cent increase in the number of highest-rated academics.

In the assessment of 36 researched-based tertiary institutions carried out by the Tertiary Education Commission, Massey increased its share of internationally-esteemed (A-rated) researchers to 131.7 (full-time equivalent staff), up from 94.73 in 2012. A-rated researchers are considered of international standing in their fields of expertise.

The number of nationally-esteemed (B-rated) researchers also increased by 23 percent, to 419.61, up from 340.7 FTE in 2012.

The assessment, the Performance-Based Research Fund’s 2018 Quality Evaluation, released today, determines the allocation of annual funding based on the performance of academic researchers at each tertiary education institution. The first Quality Evaluation was introduced in 2003 with the most recent evaluation being held in 2012.

Massey’s average quality score from last year is 19.5, meaning it will receive $39 million in PBRF funding annually, representing 12.4 per cent of the total pool – the third highest funding share in New Zealand.

Massey Provost Professor Giselle Byrnes says, “This is a stunning achievement for our staff and our University. More than half our researchers have been rated in the top two categories, which is great news for our students but also the country.

“Our research focus is on solving ‘wicked problems’ and contemporary societal challenges, and we are proud of our track-record in research.”

All Massey colleges increased their number of A and B-rated academics since the last PBRF round in 2012. Subject areas of research excellence for Massey include: Chemistry, Design, Nursing, Other Health Studies,
Sport and Exercise Science, and Veterinary Studies and Large Animal Science.

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