Prof Ranjith is an elected Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering. His main research interests are in sustainability, industry innovation, energy, and climate change, addressing UN Sustainability Goals 7, 9, and 13. The primary objective of his research is to develop and understand critical aspects of resource recovery, with the longer-term goal of promoting technological innovation for environmental protection and safe practical recovery of resources from deep earth. This is being achieved most recently in 3 main areas: (1) a Climate Action Plan, (2) innovations in resources recovery, and (3) Affordable and Clean Energy. Through a series of projects funded by the ARC and industry, he mentors young researchers and develop suitable methodologies, innovative science, and sophisticated testing devices for micro- and macro-scale studies of reservoir rocks.

His contribution has been in development of new methods to understand and overcome resource-recovery challenges – in mining, and especially for unconventional gas & geothermal reserves – with the strategic goal of improving & promoting technological innovation for environmental protection and responsible use of resources. We have invented a completly new methodology for rock breaking (to replace hydro-fracking) in deep underground using a method called SREMA "Slow Releasing Material Agent" . 

Prof Ranjith’s work on the reduction of CO2 emissions will help preserve quality of life future for generations. Every year we see undeniable change in weather patterns. Cyclones, bushfires, extreme heat and cold, flash flooding, and prolonged droughts are causally connected with excessive CO2 in the atmosphere. The direct loss of human lives alone is considerable, from these extreme events and environmental disruptions; but recent droughts in New South Wales and across Australia show that dire consequences are pervasive.

Any less energy-intensive approach can help in countering environmental degradation, and Prof Ranjith’s team offers several. His research has led to groundbreaking achievements to help solve the biggest issues that society faces, today and into the future – contributing, as he likes to point out, to UN Goals 7 (affordable and clean energy) and 13 (climate action). He has championed large-scale CO2 reduction methods such as sequestration in deep geological formations

Mentoring is one of the most rewarding aspects of Prof Ranjith’s career and a lasting part of his legacy. He guides and inspires, making a world of difference for his mentees. He energetically trains young researchers as next-generation leaders. Throughout his career, he has mentored many PhD students (36 to completion) and early- to middle-career researchers (20), with different cultural backgrounds from many countries

Professor Ranjith from the Department of Civil Engineering has been awarded the ARC Future Fellowship (2009) for his research work to combat climate change. Prof.Ranjith, joined the Monash university in 2003. Before joining to Monash, he worked as an Assistant Professor in Geotechnical and Rock Engineering at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.