Researcher of the Future — a Confidence in Research report
November 5, 2025See how researchers feel about the research and innovation environment today, and what is needed to strengthen it for the future.
The pace of scientific discovery is accelerating, and the research landscape is evolving fast. Advances in Artificial intelligence (AI), biotechnology, quantum systems and other frontier fields are redefining what’s possible, while shifting societal priorities, economic pressures, and policy demands are reshaping how research is funded, conducted, and evaluated.
Elsevier’s 2025 Confidence in Research report captures how more than 3,200 researchers across 113 countries are adapting to this rapid change.
Pressures rise but commitment to research integrity remains strong
Researchers face increasing pressure from a fast-growing volume of information, administrative and teaching demands, uncertainty over funding and pressure to publish.
- Only 45% agree they have sufficient time for research
- Just 33% expect funding to increase in the next two to three years, with optimism lowest in North America and Europe
- 68% say the pressure to publish is greater than two to three years ago
- 74% believe peer-reviewed research remains trustworthy and essential to research integrity
Despite this, concerns about reproducibility and the integrity of peer review highlight areas where the community can work together to strengthen the system.