KnowledgeLink Newsletter

July 2008

Prominent scientific papers and their authors were recognized in Beijing, China in May 2008 with the first Thomson Reuters Research Fronts Awards, jointly presented by the Scientific business of Thomson Reuters and the Chinese Academy of Science (CAS) Research Front Analysis Center.

Thomson Reuters Research Fronts Awards are awarded to prominent scientific papers and their corresponding authors in recognition of their outstanding pioneering research and influential contribution to international research and development (R&D). The event in China was held at Hotel Nikko New Century Beijing Century Hall and attended by almost 200 of the winners' industry peers from leading research institutions, universities and libraries.

These awards are significant to China's science community as they accord global recognition to collaborative research work across all disciplines and institutions, and highlight how China's groundbreaking research has made it one of the world’s leading countries for influential scientific papers. 24 research papers by 95 authors were recognised by Research Front awards after the research was analyzed using Thomson Reuters Research Front methodology that assesses levels of influence on specific scientific fields per se, and on other researchers in the sector.

The Research Fronts Awards are part of a series of Asia Pacific Research Days hosted by the Scientific business of Thomson Reuters to recognize research excellence in countries and regions that are leading the world through innovation in their respective fields. Similar events have taken place in Australia, South Korea, Japan and India.

According to citation analysis based on data from Web of Science, China is ranked second in the world by number of scientific papers published in 2007. Scientific's World IP Today Report on Global Patent Activity 2007 reported that China almost doubled its volume of patents from 2003 to 2007, and looks set to become a strong rival to Japan and the United States in years to come. Academia represents a key source of innovation in many countries, and China has the largest proportion of this innovation. This is strong evidence of the Chinese government's drive to strengthen its academic institutions.

Mark Garlinghouse, Vice-President and Managing Director, Asia Pacific, presents a Research Front award

David Liu, Senior Director and Head of Scientific's China Regional Business Unit, hosted the Awards. Both Mark Garlinghouse, Vice-President and Managing Director, Asia Pacific and Keith MacGregor, Executive Vice President of the Academic and Government Strategic Business Unit, presented the Awards. Keith also addressed the audience and shared how Chinese science was being measured and the impact of its contribution to the world community.

Keith MacGregor, Executive Vice President of the Academic and Government Strategic Business Unit presents a Research Front award

The CAS Research Front Analysis Center was founded by the National Science Library in 2004 and is committed to research that uses bibliometrics to map research fronts and track the dynamics of science developments all over the world. The Center aims to work together with leading Chinese scientists to develop and promote China science globally.