Research Councils UK (RCUK) welcome the results of International Comparative Performance of the UK Research Base 2011 which found the UK research base to be the most productive in the world. The report also found that the UK generates more articles per researcher, more citations per researcher and more usage per article authored.
Professor Rick Rylance, Chair of RCUK said: “The report confirms the UK as a world-leading research nation that produces excellent research of outstanding quality in most domains. RCUK is committed to investing in the best research and the best people to ensure the future growth, prosperity and wellbeing of the UK. As noted by the report, this investment must be maintained, or even increased, if we are to continue to be competitive.”
RCUK is also pleased to note the following report findings:
- The UK is more efficient in terms of output per researcher per unit of research spend.
- The UK research base is attracting productive and internationally mobile researchers to work in the UK.
- The ability of UK researchers to move internationally and collaborate with non-UK researchers is a key driver of research efficiency.
- The UK’s citation impact shows the UK performs better than the world average in all subject fields.
The report was prepared by Elsevier for the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills.
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Further information
Contact:
Jane Wakefield
RCUK Press and Communications Manager
Tel: 01793 444592
Notes to editors
Research Councils UK (RCUK) is the strategic partnership of the UK's seven Research Councils. We invest annually around £3 billion in research. Our focus is on excellence with impact. We nurture the highest quality research, as judged by international peer review providing the UK with a competitive advantage. Global research requires we sustain a diversity of funding approaches, fostering international collaborations, and providing access to the best facilities and infrastructure, and locating skilled researchers in stimulating environments. Our research achieves impact – the demonstrable contribution to society and the economy made by knowledge and skilled people. To deliver impact, researchers and businesses need to engage and collaborate with the public, business, government and charitable organisations. www.rcuk.ac.uk.
The seven UK Research Councils are:
- Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC);
- Biotechnology & Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC);
- Economic & Social Research Council (ESRC);
- Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC);
- Medical Research Council (MRC);
- Natural Environment Research Council (NERC);
- Science & Technology Facilities Council (STFC).