ATU climbs high-quality science index

The research covers a wide array of topics, from feeding in the earth’s early lifeforms, toxicity in marine mammals, the adaption of ancient dolphins to coasts, interbreeding between domestic and European wildcats, a 10,000-year history of the fallow deer, and observations on the large-scale structure of the Universe. The Nature Index tracks contributions to research articles published in 145 high-quality natural-science and health-science journals that are selected by committees of scientists. The list includes renowned Nature and Science journals but extends to the wider Springer Nature family of journals and beyond.

The index records a count of the number of papers an institution, broadly defined as companies, universities, government agencies or NGOs, publishes in these journals. Each paper is further divided by the number of affiliations and each institution is given a “share” of a count based on its contribution. Institutions are ranked based on their “share” of contributions, a metric that reflects the proportion of research output attributable to each institution.

For example, a 5-person collaboration with 2 authors at a single institution contributes 40% from the count to the share of that institution. In essence, the index rewards institutions that publish in high-quality journals where a substantial contribution to research comes from within the organisation.

Dr Des Foley, Acting Vice President for Research & Innovation at ATU, welcomed the news; “This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our research community at ATU. Our advancement in the Nature Index highlights the significant strides we have made in contribution to high-impact research.” Internationally, the top ranked company is the Swiss pharmaceutical firm Roche, the top academic institution is Harvard University, the top government agency is the Chinese Academy of Sciences, while the Max Planck Society is the top NGO.

For Ireland, where institutions may be smaller and have less expertise, international collaboration is a greater necessity, and understandably this dilutes any ranking based on share. Nevertheless, globally, Ireland ranks 33rd and 18th in Europe on the Nature Index for Irish institutions. The top 10 institutions in Ireland comprise Trinity College Dublin (1), University College Dublin (2), University College Cork (3), University of Limerick (4), University of Galway (5), Dublin City University (7), Maynooth University (9), alongside the Royal College of Surgeons (6), Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (8) and ATU (10). ATU is the top performing Technological University.

ATU’s rise in the rankings reflects the university’s growing influence in the scientific community, particularly following its transition to university status.

Aidan Haughey
ATU Communications Manager 
Bainisteoir Cumarsáide OTA
Ollscoil Teicneolaíochta an Atlantaigh (OTA), Éire  
Atlantic Technological University (ATU), Ireland  
Tel: + 353 86 086 6913
E: aidan.haughey@atu.ie