Australia’s scientists are among the most productive in the region. That’s the picture that emerges from the Nature Publishing Index 2011 Asia-Pacific released in March 2012
Australia ranks second only to Singapore in terms of science output per capita and per scientist in the Index, which measures the publication of research articles in Nature research journals by Asia-Pacific nations and institutions. Singapore and Australia are also first and second in the Asia-Pacific respectively in terms of GDP per capita.
In terms of absolute numbers of articles published, Australia is third in the rapidly developing region, behind Japan and a fast-growing China but well ahead of fourth-placed Korea and fifth-placed Singapore.
Australia’s investment in science infrastructure, when paired with the industriousness of its research scientists, seems to be paying off as it has consolidated its position since the 2010 rankings.
The top-performing research institutions in Australia over the past three years are the University of Melbourne, University of Queensland and Australian National University. 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 in March 2012. Among other Australian institutions, the rapid rise of James Cook University (JCU) to number ten in the national rankings is notable.