Digital Science’s recently released report “Trends in Engineering Research” draws on data from Dimensions to provide a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of the UK’s engineering research output from 2007 to 2021. Sponsored by the Royal Academy of Engineering, this report sheds light on the UK’s global standing in engineering research, its strengths, and the areas where action is needed to maintain its leadership.

A global leader in quality, but not guaranteed

The UK has established itself as a global leader in high-quality engineering research. The report highlights that the UK ranks second behind the US in terms of the most highly cited engineering publications globally. Even more impressively, when using the Field Citation Ratio (FCR), a measure that adjusts for differences in citation practices across fields, the UK ranks first among major global players such as the US, China, and Germany.

However, the report warns that this leadership position is not guaranteed. There are signs of increasing competition in an international context, particularly from China, where the quality of engineering research has been improving rapidly over the past decade.

Strength in emerging fields

One of the UK’s standout success stories is its leadership in Machine Learning, a field critical to the future of engineering and technology. With a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.4%, Machine Learning has emerged as one of the fastest-growing fields in UK engineering research. The UK’s publications in this area also boast high scientific impact, as evidenced by their strong citation performance.

Other growing fields include Geomatic Engineering and Cybersecurity and Privacy, with CAGRs of 9.5% and 7.9% respectively, reflecting the UK’s adaptability to emerging challenges in digital and spatial technologies.

Tackling Tomorrow’s Engineering Research Challenges (TERC)

The TERC report suggests that future engineering research must prioritize sustainability, ethical development, and interdisciplinary collaboration to meet the evolving needs of society and the environment. The report indicates that the UK is well-positioned to lead in many of these areas, but focused investment and strategic partnerships will be essential for staying ahead.

Areas of concern: decline in industry collaboration

While the UK continues to produce world-class research, the report points to a worrying decline in industry funding and collaboration. This is particularly evident in fields like Manufacturing Engineering and Mechanical Engineering, which have historically been strong areas for the UK. The reduction in industrial collaboration could have significant consequences for business R&D and the translation of research into commercial applications.

The decline may be due to economic uncertainty and shifts in industrial priorities, particularly in sectors like automotive engineering, which is undergoing a transformation with the shift to alternative fuels and net-zero initiatives.

A surprising gap: lack of US funding for UK engineering research

One of the more surprising findings of the report was the relative lack of US funding for UK engineering research. Despite strong collaboration between the two nations, the data reveals that the US is not a major source of funding for UK projects. This is unexpected given the extensive research partnerships between US and UK institutions, particularly in cutting-edge fields like artificial intelligence and computing sciences. The absence of significant US funding raises questions that warrant further investigation, not just in an Engineering context but across the entire research ecosystem—could geopolitical factors, intellectual property concerns, or other barriers be limiting financial support from the US? And how does the UK fare against other nations?

The need for strategic action

The report highlights that while the UK has a strong foundation, it must continue to invest in key areas such as responsible engineering, robotics, and AI. These fields are poised to shape the future of technology and have the potential to address critical societal challenges, including sustainability and global security.

Additionally, the report emphasizes the importance of maintaining and expanding international collaboration, which has been a significant contributor to the UK’s success. Collaborations with countries like the US, China, and Italy have been crucial, and strengthening these ties will be key to future advancements.

Outlook

UK engineering research remains a global leader, particularly in emerging fields like machine learning. However, challenges such as declining industry collaboration must be addressed to ensure that the UK continues to lead in high-impact, transformative engineering research.

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