Read on nature.comRising Pressure on Researchers: Survey Reveals Growing Challenges in Academic Publishing
A comprehensive survey of 3,200 researchers across 113 countries reveals increasing pressures in the academic research landscape. According to Elsevier's 2025 Researcher of the Future report, 68% of scientists report greater pressure to publish compared to 2-3 years ago, while only 45% feel they have sufficient time for research. The findings highlight a troubling imbalance between rising publication demands and decreasing research resources, with funding uncertainty and administrative burdens creating significant challenges for researchers worldwide.
The academic research landscape is undergoing significant transformation, with mounting pressures creating unprecedented challenges for scientists globally. According to Elsevier's comprehensive 2025 Researcher of the Future report, which surveyed 3,200 researchers from 113 countries, the traditional balance between research quality and publication demands is shifting dramatically. This extensive study, conducted between August and September 2025, provides crucial insights into how researchers perceive the evolving demands of their profession and the resources available to meet them.
The Growing Pressure to Publish
The survey reveals that approximately 68% of researchers feel the pressure to publish their work has increased significantly compared to just two to three years ago. This growing expectation comes at a time when many scientists report having less time and fewer resources to conduct the foundational research necessary for meaningful publications. The findings suggest a fundamental shift in academic priorities, where output quantity may be overshadowing research quality and innovation.
Time Constraints and Resource Limitations
Only 45% of surveyed researchers agreed that they have sufficient time dedicated to actual research activities. This statistic becomes even more striking when considering the comments from researchers like Anastasia Borschevsky, an engineer at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands, who expressed surprise that nearly half of scientists feel they have adequate research time. The primary factors contributing to this time crunch include increasing administrative responsibilities, growing teaching loads, and the substantial time required to identify and secure research funding.
Funding Uncertainty and Geographic Disparities
The survey highlights significant concerns about research funding stability, with only 33% of respondents expecting funding in their field to grow over the next 2-3 years. This concern becomes particularly acute in North America, where just 11% anticipate funding growth, reflecting unprecedented cuts to US research funding in 2025. Claudia Suemoto, a gerontologist at the University of São Paulo Medical School, notes that this imbalance between high demands and limited resources is especially challenging in low- and middle-income countries like Brazil, where opportunities for funding and access to qualified personnel remain constrained.
Global Mobility Considerations
The Elsevier survey also reveals that nearly 30% of researchers are considering relocating to different countries for career advancement within the next two years. This trend shows significant geographic variation, with 40% of US researchers likely to consider moving (a 16 percentage point increase from 2022), while only 13% of Chinese researchers are contemplating relocation (a 22 percentage point decrease from 2022). These patterns reflect broader political and funding environments, with Jacco van Loon, an astronomer at Keele University in the UK, noting that government policies and attitudes toward science significantly influence researchers' mobility decisions.
Implications for Research Quality and Innovation
The growing disconnect between publication pressures and available resources raises important questions about the long-term impact on scientific innovation and research quality. As researchers are forced to do more with less, there are concerns that the fundamental nature of scientific inquiry may be compromised. The survey findings suggest that without addressing these systemic challenges, the research community may face difficulties maintaining the high standards of scientific excellence that drive meaningful discoveries and advancements.
The Elsevier 2025 Researcher of the Future report provides a crucial snapshot of the current state of academic research, highlighting the need for systemic changes to support scientists in their vital work. As the research landscape continues to evolve, addressing these challenges will be essential for maintaining scientific progress and ensuring that researchers have the resources and support needed to make meaningful contributions to knowledge and society.
