Hundreds of SZ-based scientists among world's top 2%

Hundreds of scholars from Shenzhen-based universities have been named among the world’s top 2% of scientists, according to the 2025 Stanford/Elsevier Top 2% Scientists List released last Friday.

An aerial view of Shenzhen University, which led local institutions with 352 scholars recognized in the 2025 Stanford/Elsevier Top 2% Scientists List. Shenzhen Evening News

The joint list from Stanford University and Elsevier recognizes researchers whose work has had substantial influence across their fields. Compiled from data on some 7 million scientists worldwide, the list uses a composite indicator that accounts for citations, co-authorship, and authorship position. It evaluates both career-long and single-year citation impact across 22 scientific fields and 174 subfields to capture meaningful influence rather than sheer productivity.

Shenzhen University led the city’s institutions with 352 scholars named on the list. Other local universities represented include the Southern University of Science and Technology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen University of Advanced Technology, Shenzhen Technology University, Shenzhen MSU-BIT University, Shenzhen Polytechnic University, and Shenzhen University of Information Technology.

The Hetao Shenzhen–Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone is one of the most innovation-dense zones in the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area. Xinhua

A report in the Shenzhen Special Zone Daily attributed the growing presence of world-class scholars in the city to Shenzhen’s open and relaxed research climate, willingness to back original ideas with long-term investment, emphasis on daring to “venture into uncharted territory,” and fostering of university–industry collaboration.

Shenzhen’s broader innovation environment has strengthened alongside this talent influx. In 2024, the city’s R&D expenditure exceeded 223 billion yuan (US$31 billion), marking nine consecutive years of double-digit growth and ranking second nationally.

The Hetao Shenzhen–Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone — a compact area of less than 4 square kilometers — has become one of the most innovation-dense zones in the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area.

Shenzhen has also ranked in the national top three in terms of talent attraction for four straight years and topped the country’s list for attracting the post-'95 generation for two consecutive years, the report said.