Since 2005, Academic Analytics has been a key repository of benchmarking data for all PhD-granting institutions in the US, empowering university leaders to objectively gauge their research activity compared with peers. We believe that objective, accurate, and standardized research metrics are a valuable resource for institutional self-assessment and improvement. But importantly, paired with other data, disciplinary expertise, and local knowledge, our data and analyses can contribute to productive discussion and decision-making on campus.