Supporting excellence
Introduction
Research, science and innovation are global endeavours, so knowledge, techniques, standards and products can only be considered ‘excellent’ when viewed in a global context. A characteristic of excellence is that the activities are in line with the best technology, people and ideas internationally.
Excellence in innovation means growing, attracting and retaining the best visionary thinkers, entrepreneurs, investors and firms. This is true for our public services as much as our innovative businesses.
People are the critical determining factor, so diversity is vital. New Zealand can only maximise the excellence of its activity if diverse talent is able to thrive in the research, science and innovation system. (See chapter 7 for information about the size, diversity and pipeline of the research workforce.)
This chapter examines the extent to which New Zealand researchers are at the forefront of their fields, when compared with the international research community.
Ngā miramira wāhangaChapter highlights
The proportion of New Zealand publications in the top 1 per cent of the most cited publications worldwide in all research fields increased from 2.0 to 2.7 per cent between 2010 and 2019.
In 2019, the highest volume of New Zealand publications in the top 1 per cent were in language, communication and culture (6% of top 1% publications).
Relative to all publications in their respective fields, New Zealand has produced highly cited research (publications with greater impact) in physical sciences, commerce, management, tourism and services, and education.
5.1 — Ngā kairangahau kei te haputa o tō rātou papa rangahau
Researchers at the forefront of their field
Proportion of New Zealand-based publications in the top 1% of world research, by field
The quality of research in New Zealand has been improving since 2010, based on the proportion of publications in the top 1 per cent worldwide by field of research.
In 2019, 2.7 per cent of New Zealand-affiliated publications were in the top 1 per cent of most cited publications globally. This was an increase from 2.0 per cent in 2010. The highest volume of publications in the top 1 per cent of most cited publications were in the fields of language, communication and culture (6%), philosophy and religious studies (5%), information and computing sciences (4%), and medical and health sciences (4%).
Science and innovation awards celebrate excellence
Awards to researchers, scholars and innovators recognise those who have excelled in their fields and advanced science and technology to meet today’s challenges.
Recent recipients include:
- Dr Ocean Mercier, who was awarded the 2019 Callaghan Medal and Professor Rangi Mātāmua who was awarded the 2020 Callaghan Medal for their work in engaging the public in science and mātauranga Māori
- Professor Mark Weatherall and Mark Holliday, who received the Liley Medal for asthma research
- Ranjna Patel, the 2021 New Zealand Innovator of the Year
- Moxion Ltd won the 2021 Hi-Tech Start-up Company of the Year award.
For more information see: Fieldays Innovation Awards, Health Research Council Awards, New Zealand Innovator of the Year, NZ Hi-Tech Awards, Prime Minister’s Science Prizes and Royal Society Te Apārangi medals and awards.
5.2 — Te whakakaha i te aweawe me te kounga o te rangahau
Improving the influence and quality of research
Volume and quality of New Zealand research, by field
Highly cited research occurs in all fields of study, including those that are less prominent in New Zealand than the rest of the world. The relative quality of New Zealand publications (measured by the mean field citation ratio, FCR) declined between 2010 and 2019 but remains twice the world average (FCR 1.94).
In 2019, physical sciences (FCR 2.95), commerce, management, tourism and services (FCR 2.36), and education (FCR 2.19) were the fields with the highest FCRs.
The specialisation of New Zealand research was consistent in 2010 and 2020. Earth sciences and environmental sciences were the fields with the highest relative volume in both years as measured by the revealed comparative advantage, RCA (FCR and RCA are explained further in the figure caption).
