A new analysis by Elsevier, in collaboration with Universities UK (UUK), indicates that UK universities were producing research in high‑growth sectors years before the Government’s Industrial Strategy was published in 2025.
Between 2021 and 2025, UK research output in these sectors was cited more frequently than the global average. Life sciences research was cited approximately 170% above the world average, while digital and technologies research was cited 51% above. Financial services research expanded by 36.2% over five years, outpacing other sectors and doing so before financial services was formally designated a priority growth area.
The analysis highlighted three findings: universities often anticipate and specialize in high‑growth sectors, their research ecosystem is geographically diverse and interconnected, and regional research strengths do not always align with local economic activity. For example, the North East of England showed the highest specialization in financial services research despite below‑average economic specialization in the sector, while the West Midlands demonstrated alignment between advanced manufacturing research and economic activity.
Elsevier and UUK mapped UK research activity against the Government’s priority sectors, producing the first publicly available dataset of its kind. The findings suggest that investment in these areas could generate wealth, jobs, and higher wages.
Elsevier and UUK have created a data dashboard for institutions and policymakers to explore national and regional research strengths and potential areas for investment.
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