Scotland’s research community continues to excel – producing world-class science, driving innovation, and shaping solutions to global challenges. New data from Elsevier reveal that Scotland’s researchers are among the most collaborative, impactful, and environmentally engaged in the world. This blog was kindly written by Dr Sarah Main, VP Academic & Government, UK, Elsevier.
A Nation Defined by Discovery
Scotland’s reputation as a home of ideas runs deep – from Enlightenment thinkers who transformed our understanding of the world to today’s scientists tackling climate change, health inequalities, and clean energy.
Between 2020 and 2024, researchers across Scotland produced more than 150,000 scholarly publications, marking a 9% rise in activity. The quality of this research is exceptional: on average, Scottish studies are cited 76% more often than comparable work globally, giving Scotland a Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) of 1.76.
For those less familiar with the jargon, this means that research from Scotland doesn’t just add to global knowledge – it leads it.
“Scotland’s research is cited nearly twice as often as the world average – proof that its ideas travel, influence, and inspire.”
— Dr Sarah Main
Collaboration: Scotland’s Superpower
Collaboration sits at the heart of Scotland’s success. Around 60% of Scottish research publications involve international partners – nearly three times the global average. Working across borders makes research stronger and more visible; papers with international co-authors attract almost 50% more citations than those written domestically.
Scotland’s network spans the world, from the USA, Germany, and France to Australia and China. These partnerships not only enhance global visibility but also demonstrate Scotland’s role as a trusted collaborator in tackling shared challenges.
Collaboration with industry is equally impressive. Around 6% of Scottish research involves business partners – more than twice the global rate. When universities and companies work together, innovation flourishes, helping turn discovery into solutions that fuel the economy and benefit society.
Research for Planet and Policy
Scotland’s research is not only excellent – it’s useful. It informs government policy and sparks innovation. Studies from Scottish institutions are cited in global policy documents more than twice the world average, and Scottish research is more likely to be referenced in patents than that of the wider UK or EU.
This means Scottish evidence is helping shape environmental regulations, public health policy, and sustainable technologies – making research an engine for both economic growth and social progress.
Global Leadership in Environmental Research
Nowhere is Scotland’s leadership clearer than in environmental and sustainability research. Across the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Scotland shows particular strength in Good Health and Well-being, Affordable and Clean Energy, and Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure – but its performance in Climate Action, Sustainable Cities, and Life on Land and Below Water stands out as a distinctive strength.
This reflects a deep national commitment to environmental stewardship – from pioneering renewable energy systems to studying ecosystems and biodiversity. Scottish universities are not just documenting the climate crisis; they are developing the technologies, policies, and behavioural insights needed to address it.
“Scotland’s research in climate, clean energy, and sustainability shows how a small nation can have a global footprint in protecting our planet.”
– Dr Sarah Main
A Model for Small-Nation Leadership
Though Scotland accounts for less than 1% of global research output, its influence far outweighs its size. This is the story of a research system that values quality, collaboration, and purpose.
Scotland’s universities and research institutes are world-class – combining academic excellence with openness and a shared mission to serve society. As the global research landscape evolves, Scotland’s example demonstrates that impact isn’t measured by scale, but by shared ambition and connected action.
Dr Sarah Main is VP Academic & Government, UK at Elsevier. Explore Elsevier’s full research insights on Scotland via the Scottish Research and Innovation Dashboard.