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National survey proves UNE academics among the best

November 01, 2004

Brian Dollery 0010.jpgTwo economists from the University of New England have been listed among the top in Australian universities by a national survey.
Professor Brian Dollery (pictured) and Associate Professor Mahinda Siriwardana were jointly ranked at 14th among 25 of their peers in the monthly journal, Economic Bulletin.
They are the only academics from a regional university listed in the survey, the first of its kind which is based on the total number of economics papers published between 1988 and 2000.
According to Professor Roley Piggott, Dean of the Faculty of Economics, Business and Law, “publication in peer-reviewed journals is a traditional indicator of academic excellence.
“My guess is that about one-third of manuscripts submitted to professional journals in the economics discipline make it to publication. That two staff in our School of Economics have had such success will provide encouragement to others and it will assist us in attracting top students to the Faculty.”

Economic Bulletin is a national journal that draws on international research. In compiling their survey, authors Dipendra Sinha and Joseph Macri looked at research published over the years in 400 different journals, ranking their findings in two timeframes, 1988-2000 and 1995 to 2000, taking into account citations and reactions to the published papers.
Overwhelmingly, academics from Australia’s so-called Group of Eight universities scored highly in the survey, with UNE’s Professor Dollery and Associate Professor Siriwardana the only academics mentioned from a regional institution.
Associate Professor Siriwardana said he expected his research on trade liberalisation helped push his status in the survey.
“A lot of my research is in international trade,” Associate Professor Siriwardana said.
“It shows trade liberalisation is, generally, good, improving efficiencies and bringing lower prices to the consumer.
“I also looked at the Australian economy in the 1930s, when we were experiencing a Depression, and found the general assumption that import taxes are good for the economy did not always hold.”
For more information phone Lydia Roberts on 6773 2779 or Professor Roley Piggott on 6773 2990.

Posted by Lydia Roberts at November 1, 2004 03:57 PM