Evaluating the Performance-Based Research Fund was the focus of a symposium in February 2006 co-hosted by the Institute of Policy Studies at Victoria University of Wellington, the Ministry of Education and the Tertiary Education Commission. The symposium brought together many of those involved in the design, implementation and evaluation of the PBRF, including academic researchers, research managers, consultants and officials.

The 18 chapters in this book by 28 authors are based on the papers presented at the symposium. The book provides a comprehensive, authoritative and up-to-date account of the origins of the PBRF and its initial impacts on tertiary education institutions, staff and research students. It also includes chapters on the British Research Assessment Exercise and the proposed Australian Research Quality Framework.