UK universities have been producing world-leading research in the Government’s high-growth sectors since 2021. New analysis by Elsevier, in collaboration with Universities UK, shows this work began four years before the Industrial Strategy was published.
Between 2021-2025, UK research in high-growth sectors was consistently cited more often than the global average. Life sciences research was cited around 170% above the world average and digital and technologies 51% above. Financial services research grew faster than any other sector, expanding by 36.2% over five years. This was before financial services was formally announced as a priority growth sector.
Three key findings emerged from the data analysis:
- Universities organically ‘predict’ and specialise in high-growth sectors, indicating their pivotal role in driving national and regional growth.
- The United Kingdom has a geographically diverse, interconnected research ecosystem, challenging the assumption that research expertise is limited to just a handful of locations.
- North East England has the UK's highest research specialisation in financial services; advanced manufacturing specialisation is high across both the West and East Midlands.
- West Central and East Central Scotland rank among the most specialised regions for digital and technologies research.
- Regional research and economic strengths do not always align. When there is a ‘gap’ between the two, it is a sign that something needs further investigation.
- The West Midlands has the UK's highest research specialisation in Advanced Manufacturing and above-average economic specialisation in the sector – an example of ‘in step’ research and economic activity.
- North East England combines the UK's highest Financial Services research specialisation with below-average economic specialisation in the sector – an example of a ‘gap’ that, if explored further, could indicate growth potential.
Elsevier and UUK mapped UK research between 2021-2025 against priority sectors singled out in the Government’s 2025 Industrial Strategy – the first publicly-available data analysis of its kind. Through investment and innovation, these sectors have the potential to create ‘wealth, jobs and higher wages’ for the country.
These insights show how the rich diversity of research across the UK drives growth in the economic sectors of interest to Government. By looking at economic and research signals together, we can see for the first time potential areas for growth: for example, growth in a research area to support a strong regional business sector, or business opportunity based on strong research activity. The challenge now is to use the UK’s strengths in universities and business to advance prosperity. We hope the data we’re publicly sharing will give policy-makers the insights they need to make evidence-based investment decisions.
Professor Sarah Main
VP, Global Research Collaboration Unit, Elsevier
These data show the vital role university research has to play in powering the high growth industries of the future in every corner of the country. Universities are increasingly working with regional partners to ensure that their research activity supports local economic growth strategies, so that government gets even greater bang for its buck.
“The dashboard, developed alongside Elsevier, shows that UK research is not only world-leading but is delivering practical benefits for people, households and our public services, while also revealing significant research strengths across many different regions of the country.
“The Government’s significant investment in research and innovation, together with its Industrial Strategy, creates a real opportunity to further turn these research strengths into higher productivity, regional growth and greater economic resilience.
Professor Malcolm Press CBE
President of Universities UK
This dashboard demonstrates the strength of research expertise across UK Universities. The analysis also shows how the sector is supporting the ambitions of the UK's Industrial Strategy. Furthermore, it identifies areas where businesses and universities could go further. We hope senior policymakers can recognise the future opportunities where universities can deliver the much-needed research to drive growth
Professor Andrew Jones
Vice Chancellor and President of Brunel University London
Elsevier and UUK have developed a data dashboard for institutions and policymakers, with the aim of using the data analysis to understand national and regional areas for growth and investment.
For more information and to view the data, please visit UUK IS-8 Analytical Dashboard - Elsevier Analytical Services or explore the findings through our interactive visual story Research strengths powering the UK.