UK's research base second only to the US

The UK's research base remains second only to the US in terms of its achievements, productivity and efficiency, according a study released today by the Department of Trade and Industry.

Science and Innovation Minister Lord Sainsbury said that the UK produces nine per cent of the world's scientific papers and is second only to the US.

The study also showed that the UK continued to strengthen its share of the world's most influential papers, from 12.9 per cent to 13.2 per cent.

However, Lord Sainsbury added that China and some smaller nations are rapidly increasing their global share of publications and citations.

"But the study shows that the UK continues to maintain world share and benefits from a consistently good performance across disciplines," he said.

According to the report, which was undertaken by Evidence on behalf of the Office of Science and Technology, the UK share of high-quality papers is increasing, with 13 per cent world share of the highest impact papers.

In addition the UK ranked in the top three among eight key scientific disciplines: biological (second), clinical (second), environmental (second), humanities (second), maths (third), pre-clinical and health (second), social sciences (second) and business (second).

The study also reported that the UK's share of PhD awards is up to 10 per cent within OECD countries.

"This report shows the continued strength of UK science, not just in specific areas, but across the full range of scientific disciplines from engineering and physical sciences right through to the arts and humanities," Lord Sainsbury concluded.

• Latest DTI study into the outputs and outcomes from UK science