UNSW the brightest Rising Star

The research publisher Nature has named UNSW as the top “Rising Star” in the Asia-Pacific for its increase in high-quality science publications.

UNSW was a “player to watch” the publisher said, as the University scored the largest increase in publications (weighted fractional count) of any institution in the region between 2012-2015.  

UNSW came in at 52 in the world and was joined by University of Queensland (58) and Curtin University (94) as the only Australian universities to make it into the Index’s Global top 100. 

The Index’s 100 most improved institutions are ranked by the increase in their contribution to 68 high-quality journals over the period. UNSW recorded the top weighted score and an impressive 30% increase.

“The Nature Index 2016 Rising Stars supplement identifies the countries and institutions showing the most significant growth in high-quality research publications, using the power of the Nature Index, which tracks the research of more than 8,000 global institutions. These are the players to watch,” the publisher said in a statement.

UNSW’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor Research Professor Emma Johnston welcomed the ranking.

“UNSW has a strong focus on research excellence, and our upward trajectory on the Nature Index reflects our increasing global engagement and the relevance of our research.

“The result is a testament to the hard work of our researchers,” Professor Johnston said.

China was the most dominant Rising Star, according to Nature.

“China is by far the most heavily present country overall, with 40 of the top 100 most improved across the globe coming from this scientific powerhouse, with 24 of those showing growth above 50% since 2012.

“The United States – which remains the largest contributor to high-quality scientific papers overall – is second, with 11 entrants into the top 100 despite many starting from a high base.”

Read more on the Nature Index website.