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Oxford is third most intensive science and innovation cluster in the world, new data shows

Published

Oxford is recognised as one of the top science and innovation clusters in the world, according to new data released from the 2023 Global Innovation Index (GII).

The index establishes clusters through analysis of patent-filing activity and scientific article publication, documenting the geographical areas around the world with the highest density of inventors and scientific authors. This data forms part of the latest GII, which is due to be published in full later this month (Sept 27).

The Oxford cluster, which covers an approximate 5-10k radius from the centre of Oxford, filed 2,934 PCT patent applications and published 34,176 scientific articles, both per 1 million inhabitants over the last five years, making it the third science and technology cluster by intensity (relative to population density) in 2023. This year, Cambridge took the top spot, followed by San Jose, San Francisco, in second place.

The University of Oxford is a cornerstone of Oxford’s thriving innovation ecosystem, which has grown and developed substantially in recent years. Oxford is the highest university patent filer in the UK and is ranked first in the UK for university spinouts. It has created 300 new companies since 1959, with over a third of these companies created in the last five years.

I am thrilled to see Oxford recognised as a leading science and technology cluster, and I am extremely proud of the role that the University plays in catalysing innovation through its incredible research and talented people.

Professor Irene Tracey

Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford

Professor Irene Tracey, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford, said, 'I am thrilled to see Oxford recognised as a leading science and technology cluster, and I am extremely proud of the role that the University plays in catalysing innovation through its incredible research and talented people. Together with partners across the Oxfordshire ecosystem, such as Oxford University Innovation and Oxford Science Enterprises, alongside investment from the private sector nationally and internationally, we are working to create more space, more opportunities, and secure more investment to provide the optimum environment to accelerate innovation so that we continue to make global impact.'

The GII science and technology clusters are one element in the larger GII, which takes the pulse of the most recent trends in global innovation. The report ranks the innovation ecosystem performance of economies around the globe each year, while highlighting innovation strengths and weaknesses and particular gaps in innovation metrics.

The GII was founded in 2007 by Soumitra Dutta, Peter Moores Dean at Saïd Business School. He said: 'In today’s age of breakneck technological advances and significant environmental challenges, our unique global pulse check on the state of innovation has never been more important. Over the last 16 years, we have seen the GII help to shape the innovation policies and agendas in many countries, and this year will be no exception. It is pleasing to release this snapshot, ahead of our full publication, not least with a result that highlights the extraordinary impact Oxford has on the world.'

Our unique global pulse check on the state of innovation has never been more important. Over the last 16 years, we have seen the GII help to shape the innovation policies and agenda in many countries, and this year will be no exception.

Soumitra Dutta

Peter Moores Dean of Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford

Cluster Highlights: Oxford, Cambridge & London

The United Kingdom has three clusters within the GII 2023 top 100 science and technology cluster ranking: Oxford, Cambridge and London.

  • On a rank per-capita basis, Cambridge (1st) and Oxford (3rd) occupy two of the top three intensity ranking slots, with San Jose–San Francisco in second, ahead of Boston (5th), Paris (40th) and London (72nd).
  • Cambridge published the most S&T articles per capita, at just over 37,000 per one million people, with 13% of the top publishing organisations having articles within the technology domain.
  • Oxford follows closely behind Cambridge, with over 34,000 S&T articles per capita, with 15% of the top publishing organisations having articles within the physics and math domains.
  • The University of Oxford is both the top PCT applicant and publishing organisation within the Oxford cluster, with 373 patents between 2018-2022 and 14,335 S&T articles published between 2017-2021.

 

Further information:

GII Science and Technology Clusters

Global Innovation Index 2023