As a part of the three-year project Provision and analysis of key indicators in research and innovation, undertaken for the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Research & Innovation, Science-Metrix and project partner PPMI prepared 10 policy briefs on a number of topics relevant for European Union (EU) policymaking in the field of research and innovation (R&I). Details on policy briefs A to G can be found separately, here.

The topics of three policy briefs (H to J) were intentionally left open during the procurement phase of this project, so that they could be determined in the course of the study. Given the increasing emphasis placed by the Commission’s Framework Programmes for Research and Technological Development on achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the study team proposed a series of policy briefs examining how European research was contributing to the broader research base related to the SDGs. The briefs were divided across three themes: People, Prosperity and Planet.

The briefs first examine how European research contributed to research for the relevant SDG theme, using two publication output indicators:

• the number and share of publications by SDG, and
• the specialization index, measuring the emphasis placed on each SDG by individual countries, relative to the world and the whole of science.

Among the seventeen SDGs, SDG 17 on Partnerships for the goals cuts across all other SDGs. One of its aims is to promote inclusive collaborations among a broad range of actors (e.g., North–South co-publications) to encourage appropriate and regionally adapted solutions to global problems. The three briefs therefore also assess whether European research is aligned with SDG 17 targets on Partnerships for the goals. The assessment relied on bibliometric data to examine the evolution of collaboration practices along North–North and North–South dimensions in the conduct of scientific activities. This was achieved by using two bibliometric indicators:

• share of co-publications with high- or low-income countries, and
• diversity of international partners, particularly among low-income countries.

Policy brief H, Research trends on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and alignment with SDG 17 through international co-publications. Focusing on SDGs 1–5 (People)

Read brief H here.

Policy brief I, Research trends on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and alignment with SDG 17 on international partnerships. Focusing on SDGs 7–11 plus 16 (Prosperity)

Read brief I here.

Policy brief J, Research trends on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and alignment with SDG 17 through international co-publications. Focusing on SDGs 12–15 plus 6 (Planet)

Read brief J here.

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