Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills
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International scientific collaborations on the rise
There has been a dramatic increase in international scientific collaboration by the UK according to a report commissioned by the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills which was published today.
It shows that nearly 40 per cent of UK scientific output over the last five years involved international collaboration - a 50 per cent increase compared with the previous five years.
The report, by Evidence Ltd, assesses the growth and impact of international scientific collaboration and quantifies the benefits to the UK and other countries from such partnerships.
Key findings include:
* The UK collaborates particularly strongly with other leading scientific countries, notably the US, Germany and France.
* After the US it is leading scientific partner for Germany, China, Canada and Australia, and it is leading partner for the US in clinical, health, biological and environmental sciences.
* The share of international collaboration in scientific papers grew more quickly in the UK than in any of the other countries examined.
* The UK needs to monitor the level and quality of its collaboration with China and India which have rapidly growing research bases.
A new brochure, also launched today by the DIUS, showcases to the rest of the world the UK's strengths in science and innovation. The brochure gives help and advice for potential international collaborators and outlines the support available for developing partnerships and exchanges with the UK. The brochure is being rolled out through the Science and Innovation Network of UK embassies across the world.
Science and Innovation Minister Ian Pearson said:
"The importance of science and innovation to our economy and our society cannot be over estimated.
"This report underlines the quality of UK science and its attractiveness as an international research partner. We will be further boosting our international ties through initiatives such as the UK India Education and Research Initiative, the UK China Partners in Science programme, and the Global Science and Innovation Forum strategy for international engagement.
"Building international collaboration between scientists will help the UK to be a key hub in the knowledge economy."
The Government's Chief Scientific Adviser, Sir David King, added:
"This study provides concrete evidence of the growing importance of collaboration between scientists in the modern world. It backs up other data on UK research performance, international excellence in UK universities, the growing number of overseas researchers coming to the UK, and the strength of international business investment in UK research.
"This international collaboration benefits both the quality of UK science and that of our partners. By linking up with their peers abroad, outstanding UK scientists have been able to increase the impact of their work and that of their colleagues."
Notes to editors:
1. The report covers the period 2001-2005 and compares this data with 1996-2000. The data covers nine countries: UK, USA, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Australia, China and India. It analyses the extent of international collaboration through the number of articles in leading scientific journals that have authors in more than one country. It also assesses the quality and impact of these publications through the number of citations they receive.
2. The report along with the new brochure can be found at http://www.dti.gov.uk/science/int
3. The UK strategy for international engagement in science and innovation was published last autumn. It was developed by the Global Science and Innovation Forum (GSIF) and includes details of UK schemes and programmes to support international collaboration in science and innovation. For further information see http://www.dti.gov.uk/files/file34726.pdf
4. The Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills was created on Thursday 28 June 2007. The Department's primary role will be to drive forward delivery of the Government's long-term vision to make Britain one of the best places in the world for science, research and innovation and to raise the level of education and skills at every level in our economy to give the UK the competitive edge. More information can be found at http://www.dius.gov.uk
