As of 2023, Belgium is home to a total of 144 marine research groups, setting a new record. This is according to the annual inventory of the Belgian marine research landscape conducted by the Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ). Belgian marine research stands out for its global collaboration and the open availability of scientific knowledge.
With a total of 144 marine research groups (MRGs) in 2023, the marine research landscape in Belgium has expanded significantly over the past decade. When the inventory was first initiated in 2013, the number of Belgian MRGs was just 82. These groups are affiliated with universities and scientific institutions. Although most MRGs focus on natural sciences, research groups within engineering and social sciences have gained increasing prominence in recent years.
Collectively, all Belgian MRGs publish between 700 and 900 peer-reviewed papers annually, across more than 1,700 journals worldwide. Notably, the proportion of open-access publications has seen a substantial increase, from 36% in 2008 to 79% in 2023. This has made Belgian marine scientific knowledge more accessible to researchers and the general public around the world.
International collaboration also plays a crucial role in the success of Belgian MRGs. Approximately 80% of publications are the result of partnerships with international researchers, particularly from neighbouring countries and the United States. This global collaboration has strengthened scientific impact, as evidenced by the high average number of citations per publication (36) and an impressive h-index of 207.
Would you like to gain deeper insight into our marine research landscape? The full inventory is available for consultation here.
