Evidence Review Service

The Monash Evidence Review Service (ERS) provides research reviews to decision-makers in government, industry, philanthropic and other organisations to optimise policy and practice.

ERS is based at Australia’s largest university, Monash University, a global university with 9 campuses and locations across 6 countries. Monash is ranked 37 globally in the QS World University Rankings 2025 and 35 in the US News and World Report 2024 – 2025 best global universities.

We ensure your needs are understood from the start, so we can deliver timely and impactful outcomes.

For further enquiries about the Monash Evidence Review Service, contact: Peter.Bragge@monash.edu

Our approach is built on three pillars:

  • Real-world connection

    ERS is housed within the Monash Business School and BehaviourWorks Australia's. Our work is distinguished by a focus on co-design to understand our client’s decision-making context and prioritise their knowledge needs.

  • Review expertise

    We have deep expertise and experience in reviewing research from around the world. This is reflected by numerous academic publications and our partnership with McMaster University in Canada curating the world-leading Social Systems Evidence open-access database of research to achieve the sustainable development goals.

  • Topic expertise

    We collaborate with world-leading experts in health, education, biological sciences, sustainability and other domains from across Monash University. This enables us to interpret and apply review findings to challenges across a broad array of sectors.

Our services

  • Question development and prioritisation

    When you don’t know where to start or have competing priorities, we help you transparently determine a course of action based on our published prioritisation methodologies.

  • Desktop reviews

    Come to us with your knowledge requirements, and we can produce for you rapid evidence profiles (1–2 weeks), rapid desktop reviews (4–6 weeks), systematic / scoping reviews (3 months+) and review packages combining these. Online libraries and review updates can be added to keep on top of evolving knowledge over time.

  • Practice reviews

    When you need local insights, we conduct one-on-one and small group consultations with specialists in your area and interface this with the findings of the desktop review.

  • Teaching and training

    When you want to build in-house capacity in review methods, we can tailor lectures, training programs and executive education to your learning needs.

Our work

ERS has delivered over 100 reviews and related reports since 2021. Below is a list of publicly available outputs and featured publications.

What happened next? A survey of review clients evaluating impacts of rapid reviews

ERS invites feedback from review clients on the quality and impact of our reviews. This publication reports high client satisfaction, good evidence of review reach and impacts of ERS reviews on policy and practice.

Public narratives of disadvantage across multiple groups in Australia: A research map and practice reflections

We analysed how disadvantaged groups – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, those with disabilities, and racial minorities – are portrayed in Australian media. They were often described negatively, with their perspectives excluded.

Prioritising research funding for cardiovascular disease and diabetes in Australia

Through a national survey and three roundtables of Australian experts and community representatives, we prioritised research topics for an Australian Government A$47 million investment in cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

Publications

Explore more of our peer-reviewed academic papers and reports.

Social Systems Evidence

Social Systems Evidence (SSE) is the biggest centralised database of research reviews, economic evaluations and policy briefs pertaining to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Our team