2017 Research Leaders: Leading institutions

The 2017 Research Leaders are based on Nature Index data from 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2016.

Table criteria

Position Institution Share 2015 Share 2016 Count 2016 Change in Adjusted Share* 2015–2016
1 Institute for Research in Fundamental Sciences (IPM), Iran 9.66 14.59 80 54.9% Increase
2 Shiraz University, Iran 6.89 10.28 16 53.0% Increase
3 Sharif University of Technology (SUT), Iran 2.47 6.72 13 178.7% Increase
4 Tarbiat Modares University (TMU), Iran 3.04 6.53 10 120.2% Increase
5 Isfahan University of Technology (IUT), Iran 6.17 4.95 40 -17.7% Decrease
6 Islamic Azad University (IAU), Iran 2.13 4.90 41 135.9% Increase
7 Ferdowsi University of Mashhad (FUM), Iran 0.99 4.79 7 398.9% Increase
8 University of Tehran (UT), Iran 8.67 4.28 40 -49.4% Decrease
9 University of Kurdistan, Iran 0.83 3.96 6 387.2% Increase
10 Shahid Beheshti University (SBU), Iran 6.24 3.77 15 -38.0% Decrease
11 University of Maragheh, Iran 1.88 3.14 14 71.8% Increase
12 Azarbaijan Shahid Madani University, Iran 2.38 3.13 4 35.0% Increase
13 Institute for Advanced Studies in Basic Sciences (IASBS), Iran 0.67 1.24 7 90.1% Increase
14 Ilam University, Iran 0.00 1.07 2 0.0% Increase
15 University of Guilan (GU), Iran 0.00 1.00 1 0.0% Increase
15 University of Qom, Iran 0.00 1.00 1 0.0% Increase
15 Tafresh University, Iran 0.00 1.00 1 0.0% Increase
15 Sahand University of Technology (SUT), Iran 1.00 1.00 1 2.6% Increase
15 Iran Polymer and Petrochemical Institute (IPPI), Iran 0.00 1.00 1 0.0% Increase
16 Young Researchers and Elite Club, Iran 0.00 0.92 5 0.0% Increase
17 Yazd University, Iran 0.00 0.75 2 0.0% Increase
18 Lorestan University, Iran 0.00 0.71 3 0.0% Increase
19 Iran University of Science and Technology (IUST), Iran 0.00 0.67 2 59,532.4% Increase
20 Bu-Ali Sina University, Iran 1.05 0.67 1 -34.9% Decrease
21 Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences (SBMU), Iran 0.21 0.65 6 218.1% Increase
22 Payame Noor University (PNU), Iran 0.00 0.63 1 0.0% Increase
23 Razi University, Iran 0.00 0.58 2 0.0% Increase
24 Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Research Center of Iran (CCERCI), Iran 0.00 0.54 3 0.0% Increase
25 Kharazmi University, Iran 0.00 0.50 1 0.0% Increase
25 Arak University, Iran 0.00 0.50 1 0.0% Increase
25 University of Kashan, Iran 0.00 0.50 1 0.0% Increase
26 Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Iran 0.92 0.42 4 -53.1% Decrease
27 Alzahra University, Iran 0.25 0.38 2 53.8% Increase
28 Geological Survey and Mineral Exploration of Iran (GSI), Iran 0.38 0.37 2 0.3% Increase
29 Zanjan University of Medical Sciences (ZUMS), Iran 0.00 0.33 1 0.0% Increase
29 Damghan University, Iran 0.20 0.33 1 70.9% Increase
29 Payame Noor University of Mashhad (PNUM), Iran 0.00 0.33 1 0.0% Increase
30 University of Isfahan (UI), Iran 1.96 0.30 1 -84.3% Decrease
30 Ahvaz Jundishapour University of Medical Sciences, Iran 0.38 0.30 1 -17.9% Decrease
31 Shahid Rajaee Teacher Training University (SRTTU), Iran 0.00 0.25 1 0.0% Increase
31 Iran Science and Technology Museum (IRSTM), Iran 0.00 0.25 1 0.0% Increase
32 Amirkabir University of Technology (AUT), Iran 0.77 0.22 2 -70.9% Decrease
33 K. N. Toosi University of Technology (KNTU), Iran 1.00 0.20 1 -79.5% Decrease
34 Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Iran 0.00 0.13 3 0.0% Increase
35 Tabriz University of Medical Sciences (TUOMS), Iran 0.14 0.13 1 -10.3% Decrease
35 University of Tabriz, Iran 0.25 0.13 1 -48.7% Decrease
35 University of Zanjan, Iran 0.58 0.13 1 -78.0% Decrease
36 Hakim Sabzevari University, Iran 0.00 0.08 1 0.0% Increase
36 Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences (BMSU), Iran 0.00 0.08 1 0.0% Increase
37 Animal Science Research Institute (ASRI), Iran 0.00 0.04 1 0.0% Increase
38 National Museum of Iran, Iran 0.00 0.03 1 0.0% Increase
39 Mashhad University of Medical Sciences (MUMS), Iran 0.00 0.01 1 0.0% Increase

Footnote

Each year, the Nature Index publishes tables based on counts of high-quality research outputs in the previous calendar year. Users please note:

  1. The data behind the tables are based on a relatively small proportion of total research papers, they cover the natural sciences and health sciences only and outputs are non-normalized (that is, they don’t reflect the size of the country or institution, or its overall research output).
  2. The Nature Index is one indicator of institutional research performance. The metrics of Count and Share used to order Nature Index listings are based on an institution’s or country’s publication output in 145 natural-science and health-science journals. The journals were selected on reputation by an independent panel of leading scientists in their fields. The list is reviewed periodically and journals may be removed or added. Articles from eLife were no longer included in the Nature Index from 2023 after the journal changed its publishing model.
  3. Nature Index recognizes that many other factors must be taken into account when considering research quality and institutional performance; Nature Index metrics alone should not be used to assess institutions or individuals.
  4. Nature Index data and methods are transparent and available under a creative commons licence at nature.com/nature-index/.
  5. Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

The Nature Index database undergoes regular updating, corrections, adjustment of institutional hierarchies, and removal of retracted papers and thus the live website can differ from the frozen research leaders.