It’s ranking as usual in its new Nature Index of authors of research articles in 82 journals

Uni Queensland leads, from UNSW, Monash, Uni Melbourne, ANU, Unis Sydney, Adelaide and WA. Curtin U and Macquarie U make up the local top ten.

Overall Australia rates tenth, with the US first and China second. The PRC accounts for half the universities in the global top ten.

The ranking is based on content in 82 natural science journals, nominated by panels and “validated” by a survey.

Nature makes the usual disclaimers, including, “multiple factors must be considered when benchmarking research quality and institutional performance,” – which are not always mentioned by publicists for institutions that do well.