A new approach to research evaluation

The ARC’s Research Insights Capability

The ARC is developing a new approach to research evaluation, designed to be a useful tool to build understanding, recognise excellence and celebrate the great achievement that is Australian research.

The ARC is exploring a flexible, data-driven capability that includes dynamic and interactive dashboards, in-depth reports and State of the Research Environment reports. The intention is to promote positive practices, bolster connections between research, government and end-users, and ensure that knowledge generated through the evaluation process is accessible and actionable without placing an undue reporting burden on universities.

Update on 2025 consultations

The ARC sought views from stakeholders from July to November 2025 to help shape the direction of national research evaluation, holding more than 50 consultation sessions and receiving more than 30 written submissions.

Informing Research Insights Capability

The ARC has published a summary of feedback from the 2025 Research Insights Capability consultations.

The summary outlines the main issues raised by stakeholders and identifies opportunities to improve how the Research Insights Capability is designed and delivered.

You can find the summary below.

The initial period of consultation has concluded. Further consultation will continue as the Research Insights Capability is developed. This page will be updated as more information becomes available.

View the Consultation Draft Framework

You can also view the consultation draft of the proposed Research Insights Capability framework.

This draft was developed for the 2025 consultation period. It is not the final design. 

For information about previous ARC research evaluation, see: