On 8 Feb 2025, the South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported that the international scientific Nature Index has ranked the world’s top high-quality physics research centres. The only non-Chinese institutions among the top 10 being from Europe, with the US’ highest-ranked institution coming in at No 13.
The Index – maintained by the prestigious science journal Nature – ranks research institutions based on their contributions to articles published in the world’s most influential scientific journals.
Experts say the shift could have far-reaching implications for the United States’ technological edge, as physics underpins much of modern technology and innovation.
On 3 Mar 2025 the SCMP futher reported that updated data from the Nature Index revealed Chinese universities now monopolise the top 20 spots in chemistry research.
China’s dominance in chemistry research comes at a time when many universities in the US and Britain are closing down chemistry departments – traditional US powerhouses such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have gone into free fall – signalling a stark divergence in priorities.
The SCMP concludes that these changes reflect there is a seismic shift happening in global scientific leadership.
Sources:
- South China Morning Post. Feb 8, 2025. https://www.scmp.com/…/china-leads-world-physics…
- South China Morning Post. Mar 3, 2025. https://www.scmp.com/…/china-sweeps-top-spots-chemistry…
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