[LIS-Forum] Science in the UK

[arun at mssrf.res.in]

Friends:

UK is doing well in science, says a recent report commissioned by the
Office of Science and Technology. Especially in biology and health it is
doing better than USA (if adjusted for investments made). Regards.

Arun
[Subbiah Arunachalam]
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Research Councils welcome new report on high impact of UK research

A new report on the performance of the UK research base has today shown
that in some areas the impact of UK research has surpassed the United
States. This represents a clear indication of the high impact of UK
research according to the Research Councils, who together invest over £2.5
billion a year in research.

The PSA metrics data report, commissioned by the Office of Science and
Technology, shows that relative to investment in research the UK produces
around 9 per cent of the world’s PhDs and papers and achieves 12 per cent
of the world’s academic citations. Research productivity within the UK
research community is the highest of any G8 country and ranks third
globally. In 2004, the UK had the highest citation impact in biology and
health.

Professor Julia Goodfellow, speaking on behalf of Research Councils UK,
the strategic partnership of the eight Councils, said: "I am very pleased
to see that the impact of UK research is not only very high but in terms
of our proportion of global citations, it is also rising. Biology and
medicine are both outstanding highlights but across the board UK research
is delivering high impact results for the investment being made."

"However, we must make sure that we are not complacent. For example
Germany has more PhD students, and we have to be aware of the obvious rise
of China. It is important that both Government and private sector
investment in research and development grows in the future and we invest
in growing capacity in areas where we currently have skills shortages,"
Professor Goodfellow warned.

The full report PSA target metrics for the UK research base, is available
from the Office of Science of Technology:
http://www.ost.gov.uk/research/funding/psa_metrics_report.pdf