Swinburne University of Technology is a multisector university defined by technology, innovation and a deep commitment to real-world impact. A Symplectic Elements client since April 2023, Swinburne runs a rigorous annual peer review of its non-traditional research outputs (NTROs), such as creative works, exhibitions, performances and reports, modelled on the Australian Research Council’s Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) framework.
This case study draws on a Symplectic Elements client talk given by Zoë Shacklock and Larisa Edwards in April 2026, in which they walked through how their team configured the new Item Evaluation module to run that process.
- The background to Swinburne’s NTRO assessment, and why the person-centric Assessment module did not fit item-level peer review.
- The problems Swinburne encountered when it ran NTRO review through the Assessment module in 2025, from invisible co-authorship to fixed review sequences.
- How the Item Evaluation module was configured around Swinburne’s existing three-panel structure to resolve them.
- The results of Swinburne’s first full NTRO assessment cycle on the new module.
The module was a huge success for us this year, and was essential to the smooth delivery of our NTRO assessment. It made every stage of the process easier, from initial submissions through peer review to capturing final outcomes.
Dr. Zoë Shacklock
Research Outputs Specialist, Swinburne University of Technology
