Australia ranked highly in science research output

Australia is a top performer when it comes to science output per capita and per scientist, according to the Nature Publishing Index 2011 Asia-Pacific.

According to the Index, Australia consolidated its position as the third most productive country for high-quality, primary research in the rapidly developing Asia-Pacific region.

The top five research countries in the Asia-Pacific, and their ranking, are the same as they were in 2010, with a dominant Japan leading a fast-growing China. But Australia’s investment in science infrastructure and the industriousness of its research scientists seem to be paying off. Australia comfortably increased its lead over fourth-placed Korea and fifth-placed Singapore in 2011.

Singapore and Australia are first and second respectively in terms of GDP per capita in the Asia-Pacific. They are also first and second for the numbers of articles per capita and per scientific researcher published in Nature research journals in 2011.

The top performing research institutions in Australia over the past three years are the University of Melbourne, University of Queensland and Australian National University. Ranked at 64, 86 and 97 respectively, these three are the only Australian institutions in the Nature Publishing Index 2011 Global Top 100 (beta) rankings, also published today. Among other Australian institutions, notable is the rapid rise of James Cook University to number 10 in the national rankings.

The Nature Publishing Index 2011 Asia-Pacific measures the output of research articles from nations and institutions in terms of publications in 2011 in Nature research journals.