Criterion Conference's Measuring and Enabling University Research & Innovation Capacity, held on the 26^th & 27^th of July in Sydney, tackled the many challenges that the Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) measurements have highlighted across the Australian research landscape. Senior research management from over forty Australian and New Zealand universities gathered to discuss the outcomes of the 2010 ERA exercise, the future exercise in 2012, and strategies to build research capacity - within individual institutions, across the Australian sector, and with international partners in research.

A great deal of discussion concerned the implications of the results of the 2010 ERA exercise, including what it means for the discipline areas that we (that is, Australia) did well in, the areas in which we fell short of world standard, and what will happen when the process is repeated in 2012. Professor Margaret Sheil, CEO of the Australian Research Council, outlined the changes to the measurement process, with input from a number of presenters on the need to include the impact of research in measurement of "excellence".

There was much conversation around building the research workforce, considering the aging academic population, the need for more teaching staff as the university system becomes demand-driven, and increasing international competition for research experts. There was talk of methods to improve PhD training, reduce exit of early career researchers from the sector, and further developing Australia's international reputation for research excellence. One of the major challenges facing universities is attracting and retaining research staff.

Finally, there was an on-going dialogue throughout the event about the importance of collaboration - between universities, with industry and government, and internationally. There is an urgent need to build better partnerships across Australian research departments, to encourage sharing of thoughts and perspectives, and to enable Australia to contribute to a global conversation through international collaboration.

Keep posted for next year's University Research & Innovation Capacity, which will address the challenges in preparing for the 2012 ERA submissions, strategies to improve ERA rankings in your institution, and how to utilise collaboration to improve Australia's reputation for research excellence.