Monash University has been confirmed as one of Australia's strongest-performing research institutions, achieving outstanding results in the 2026 Research Magazine published by The Australian. The report identifies national leaders in 250 research fields and highlights universities driving progress towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Monash has been named among the top five Australian universities contributing research excellence to 10 UN SDGs, including Climate Action, Good Health and Well-being, Clean Water and Sanitation, Gender Equality, and Life on Land. This positions the University as one of Australia's leading climate and sustainability research institutes, recognised for its depth, breadth and long-term commitment to research that improves lives and shapes a more resilient future.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Enterprise), Professor Robyn Ward AM, said the results reflect the collective strength of Monash's research culture.
"This is terrific recognition of the work of our talented researchers who drive a culture of ambition, innovation and impact," Professor Ward said.
"Our researchers are tackling the world's most complex challenges – from climate resilience and planetary health to equity, education and sustainable economic systems. This recognition across so many fields demonstrates not just individual excellence, but the power of Monash's collaborative interdisciplinary approach."
Monash has also been named Australia's top research institution in 51 fields, ranging from business and economics to molecular biology, medical specialties, mathematics, environmental law, and teacher education.
Professor Ward said these results demonstrate Monash's commitment to research that matters.
"What stands out is the diversity of the fields in which Monash leads the nation. Across science, engineering, health, humanities, law and education, our researchers are delivering insights and innovations that have global relevance," Professor Ward said.
"It shows we are a university with significant depth and capability – and a clear focus on real-world impact."
In addition to institutional success, 31 Monash academics have been named among Australia's top 250 researchers, recognised as national leaders in their respective fields.
"This individual recognition is incredibly well deserved," Professor Ward said.
"Our people are at the heart of Monash's success, and to see so many of our researchers acknowledged as national field leaders reinforces the calibre of talent driving our research forward."
Fields in which Monash is Australia's top research institution
- Business, Economics & Management (general)
- Economic Policy
- Economics
- Finance
- Game Theory and Decision Science
- Human Resources & Organizations
- International Business
- Analytical Chemistry
- Biochemistry
- Computer Graphics
- Educational Technology
- Software Systems
- Technology Law
- Anesthesiology
- Cardiology
- Critical Care
- Diabetes
- Emergency Medicine
- Endocrinology
- Epidemiology
- Gynecology & Obstetrics
- Health & Medical Sciences (general)
- Heart & Thoracic Surgery
- Molecular Biology
- Neurology
- Neurosurgery
- Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
- Pregnancy & Childbirth
- Pulmonology
- Rehabilitation Therapy
- Reproductive Health
- Rheumatology
- Vascular Medicine
- Virology
- Feminism & Women's Studies
- Humanities, Literature & Arts (general)
- Cell Biology
- Developmental Biology & Embryology
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (general)
- Discrete Mathematics
- High Energy & Nuclear Physics
- Probability & Statistics with Applications
- Pure & Applied Mathematics
- Education
- Environmental & Occupational Medicine
- Environmental Law & Policy
- Ethics
- Science & Engineering Education
- Social Work
- Special Education
- Teaching & Teacher Education
Monash researchers named national leaders in their field
- Anastasios Panagiotelis, Business, Economics & Management (general)
- Kaveh Majlesi, Economics
- Gavin Knott, Biochemistry
- Reza Haffari, Computational Linguistics
- Tim Dwyer, Computer Graphics
- Geoff Webb, Data Mining & Analysis
- Dragan Gasevic, Educational Technology
- Ranjith Pathegama Gamage, Mining & Mineral Resources
- Rashina Hoda, Software Systems
- Christopher Marsden, Technology Law
- Warren Batchelor, Wood Science & Technology
- Paul Myles, Anesthesiology
- Dianna Magliano, Diabetes
- Peter Ebeling, Endocrinology
- Joanne McKenzie, Epidemiology
- Paul Burton, Obesity
- David Hunter-Smith, Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
- Jennie Ponsford, Rehabilitation Therapy
- Ben Willem Mol, Reproductive Health
- Jeremy Grummet, Urology & Nephrology
- Peter Cawood, Geology
- Ricardo Ruiz Baier, Computational Mathematics
- David Wood, Discrete Mathematics
- Jordan Nash, High Energy & Nuclear Physics
- Martin Sellbom, Academic & Psychological Testing
- Luca Fiorenza, Anthropology
- Malcolm Sim, Environmental & Occupational Medicine
- Russell Smyth, Environmental Law & Policy
- Benjamin Moffitt, Political Science
- Rob Raven, Social Sciences (general)
- Umesh Sharma, Special Education
