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UC Santa Cruz anchors Santa Cruz/Watsonville metro-area’s Top 16 ranking in research output
The study reveals that research breakthroughs are disproportionately clustered at a small number of institutions.
The study finds that up to 60% of a scientist’s research output is shaped by the institution where they work—highlighting the importance of strong academic environments like UC Santa Cruz in advancing the frontiers of science.
A new working paper from the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) underscores the powerful role research institutions play in driving fundamental scientific discovery and real-world innovation—findings that highlight UC Santa Cruz as an essential catalyst for the Central Coast’s knowledge economy.
The study, Where Discovery Happens: Research Institutions and Fundamental Knowledge in the Life Sciences, reveals that research breakthroughs are disproportionately clustered at a small number of institutions. These universities support high-impact work—and help translate discoveries into innovation, as measured by citations in future patents.
The Santa Cruz-Watsonville metro area ranked No. 16 among United States cities with the largest annual output per researcher (2015–2023), just behind Los Angeles and Memphis, and outpacing Philadelphia and Chicago.
Crucially, the study finds that up to 60% of a scientist’s research output is shaped by the institution where they work—highlighting the importance of strong academic environments like UC Santa Cruz in advancing the frontiers of science.
“This research validates something we’ve long known at UC Santa Cruz: that where discovery happens truly matters,” said Chancellor Cynthia Larive. “Our faculty, researchers, and students contribute to a vibrant culture of collaboration, inquiry and innovation that resonates far beyond campus.”
As the leading research university in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville metro area, UC Santa Cruz is uniquely positioned to serve as the region’s scientific and economic anchor. The university’s strengths in genomics, biology, biotechnology, agroecology, coastal science, and bioinformatics—as well as its growing partnerships with institutions across California and the world—contribute to a dynamic research ecosystem that aligns with the study’s findings.
“UC Santa Cruz research is not only shaping the future of science—it’s shaping the future of our community,” said Santa Cruz Works Executive Director Doug Erickson. “The breakthroughs made here ripple outward, fueling startups, attracting investment, and solving global challenges. This study reinforces what we see every day: UCSC is both a cornerstone of our local innovation economy and a source of discovery that benefits the world at large.”
The paper also emphasizes the compounding value of investing in “star researchers,” who amplify institutional impact and foster breakthrough discoveries. UC Santa Cruz’s faculty recruitment and research investments continue to draw world-class scholars to the region, bolstering both academic excellence and economic development.
“This study affirms that investments in public research universities like ours don’t just support individual scholars—they support regional innovation, startup activity, and the translation of science into societal benefit,” Vice Chancellor for Research John MacMillan.
UC Santa Cruz is continuing to deepen its collaboration with other top universities and expand its presence in Silicon Valley, further expanding the university’s role in bridging discovery and industry.