The University of Aberdeen has been recognised in the Scottish Parliament after ranked in the top 10% of universities globally for science.
The historic university was also ranked second in the UK in The Times Higher Education Interdisciplinary Science Ranking 2026.
The rankings measures university performance in three areas: inputs (funding); process (measures of success, facilities, administrative support and promotion); and outputs (publications, research quality and reputation).
The ranking – a project in association with Schmidt Science Fellows - was created to improve scientific excellence and collaboration across disciplines and aims to help institutions benchmark their interdisciplinary scientific work.
This week, Audrey Nicoll, MSP for Aberdeen South and North Kincardine, Scottish National Party, submitted a motion that the parliament congratulate the university on the achievement.
Her motion stated: "That the Parliament congratulates the University of Aberdeen on being ranked within the top 10% globally and second in the UK in The Times Higher Education Interdisciplinary Science Rankings 2026; notes the university's Interdisciplinary Institute's focus on the current significant research challenges, such as energy transition, data and AI, environment and biodiversity, health, nutrition and wellbeing, and cultural diversity and social inclusion; recognises that the ranking derives from a project created in association with Schmidt Science Fellows to improve scientific excellence and collaboration across disciplines, helping institutions benchmark their interdisciplinary scientific work; understands that such projects play a key role in solving global challenges; commends everyone involved in the project, and wishes the university every success in the future."
The motion was supported by Karen Adam, Alasdair Allan, Jeremy Balfour, Colin Beattie, Miles Briggs, Stephanie Callaghan, Annabelle Ewing, Murdo Fraser, Emma Harper, Jamie Hepburn, Bill Kidd, Rona Mackay, Liam McArthur, Kevin Stewart, Paul Sweeney, and David Torrance.
This year, in response to university engagement and feedback, the interdisciplinary scope has been broadened to cover any research project that comprises multiple scientific disciplines, or one or more scientific disciplines combined with one or more of the following non-STEM disciplines: social sciences, education, psychology, law, economics, or medical and health.
“Interdisciplinary research is central to the University’s ambition, as outlined in our Aberdeen 2040 strategic vision, and I am delighted to see this reflected in the latest THE Interdisciplinary Science Rankings,” said Professor Nick Forsyth, Senior Vice-Principal (Acting) and Vice-Principal (Research) at the University of Aberdeen. “This achievement is a testament to the strength of our research community and to the collaborative work supported through the Interdisciplinary Institute.”
While only five UK institutions have participated in the rankings, it is worth noting that the university has maintained its top 10% standing despite an additional 100 global institutions taking part this year – 87th out of 911 in total.