Page 7 - University of Pretoria Research Review 2017
P. 7

         Foreword
Introduction
DEVELOPMENT AND CHANGE
PEOPLE AND CONTEXTS
HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
PLANET AND SUSTAINABILITY
Awards
Lead Researchers
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 In overview, our research achievements in 2017 included an increase
in research output, continuing the trend leading to a 51% increase over
the past five years. There has been a year-on-year increase in doctoral enrolments and, in 2017, a record number of 354 doctoral graduates. By the end of 2017, 65% of our academic staff held doctoral degrees, which has supported increasing research and postgraduate training capacity at UP.
With respect to our international standing, 35 leading researchers at UP
were among the top 1% of scientists internationally in the Web of Science
(WoS) indexes in 2017, based on citations. In the WoS Essential Science Indicators, UP was grouped within the top 1% worldwide in eight of 22 broad knowledge fields. The Scopus indexes show that 45% of UP’s publications were co-authored with international scholars, and an impressive 10.8% fell in the top 10% of papers most cited internationally.
UP’s research platforms and entities consolidate our research capacity, and make possible
the multidisciplinary research teams needed to address the complexities that characterise development challenges. In 2017, the total of 125 UP research entities included 69 institutes and centres and 56 other entities, including South African Research Chairs Initiative (SARChI) Chairs, national Centres of Excellence, Communities of Practice, Medical Research Council Units, and Industry-sponsored Research Chairs.
An appropriate conclusion to the Review is our acknowledgement of the achievements of individual young scientists and leading researchers at the University of Pretoria. We list the recipients of the annual University of Pretoria Academic Achievers’ Awards, and some of the most prestigious external awards. The final section provides short profiles of our A-rated scientists who are recognised internationally as leaders in their respective fields.
I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to those who are doing the excellent research we have showcased here, and to all who have contributed to this 2017 Research Review.
















































































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