Academic chemistry and related fields in Wrocław: Density-equalizing mapping studies over the past decades

Abstract

Chemistry and related areas of science have a strong background in Wrocław with 3 Nobel laureates. The aim of this study was to assess the evolution of scientific excellence and productivity after the Second World War, when Polish scientists rebuilt academic life in these important areas. The present approach used the established platform of the New Quality and Quantity Indicators in Science (NewQIS) project and density-equalizing mapping calculations. In total, 15,267 original research articles related to chemistry published by Wrocław scientists were identified in the Web of Science between 1972 and 2016. They were cited 170,606 times. The highest citation numbers were reached in the years 2001 and 2004. In total, 4,362 research collaborations were performed with 83 different countries, leading to a percentage of 28.6%. Wrocław chemistry institutions established a vast international network with the USA (688 articles), France (658 articles) and Germany (679 articles) as their main partner countries. Besides chemistry, the main research fields are biochemistry and molecular biology, as well as physics, with 2,177 and 2,007 articles, respectively. This study visualized the great success and virtue by which Polish scientists rebuilt a scientific community in the area of chemistry in Wrocław after the Second World War. Wrocław is now a key Central European player in chemistry and related areas, which serves as a nodal point between Eastern and Western countries.