3-Minute Read: The Researcher of the Future — Building Confidence in an AI-Enabled Era
Dec. 9, 2025—The global research ecosystem is at an inflection point. Artificial intelligence, shifting funding landscapes, and rising expectations for societal impact are transforming what it means to be a researcher.
Elsevier’s new Researcher of the Future: A Confidence in Research Report captures perspectives from more than 3,200 researchers across 113 countries. Their views reveal both challenge and resilience: while researchers face unprecedented pressures, their dedication to integrity, collaboration, and impact remains unwavering.
AI: From Tool to Creative Partner
Artificial intelligence has quickly moved from experimental novelty to everyday necessity in research. 58% of researchers now use AI tools at work, a sharp rise from 37% in 2024. Most commonly, AI helps find and summarize literature or perform reviews, saving valuable time in a world where speed and scope matter more than ever.
Yet optimism is tempered by concern. 45% of respondents feel undertrained in AI, and just one-third say their institution provides good governance around its use. As AI becomes a “creative force” in knowledge generation 61% of researchers predict it will drive discovery within the next few years pointing to the need for trustworthy, transparent, and well-regulated tools.
Researchers are clear about their priorities: they want AI systems that cite sources automatically, use up-to-date scholarly data, and safeguard confidentiality. The message is unmistakable: for AI to reach its full potential in science, it must be built on quality, transparency, and trust.
Integrity Under Pressure
Across the globe, researchers are working harder with fewer resources. Only 45% report having enough time for research, and just one in three expect funding in their field to rise in the next few years, with optimism lowest in North America and Europe. Meanwhile, 68% say the pressure to publish has intensified, a finding echoed in open comments describing long hours, growing administrative demands, and shrinking budgets.
Despite these challenges, commitment to research integrity remains remarkably strong. Three-quarters of respondents view peer-reviewed research as trustworthy, and 85% agree that corrections and retractions are essential to maintaining the scholarly record. Many (55%) have successfully replicated others’ work, an encouraging sign in an era of heightened scrutiny.
Researchers see publishers and institutions as critical partners in safeguarding trust, especially as new technologies like AI raise questions about accuracy and accountability. Quality over quantity, they say, should once again define success.
Collaboration Without Borders
The report highlights a culture of growing collaboration and mobility. Nearly two-thirds (63%) agree there is more collaboration in their field than before, and among those, over two-thirds are partnering across disciplines. Mobility, however, is more complex. While 30% report more international applicants to their research groups, only 29% say they would personally consider moving abroad, down from pre-pandemic levels. Work-life balance, access to funding, and freedom to pursue one’s interests are top motivators for those open to relocation.
Even in an era of geopolitical uncertainty, researchers continue to bridge borders, both digitally and in person, driven by the shared pursuit of progress. Institutions that foster flexible partnerships, equitable exchanges, and administrative simplicity will be best positioned to attract the “researcher of the future.”
A New Era of Impact
A defining trend in the report is the rising expectation for societal impact. Two-thirds (67%) of respondents say there is now greater emphasis on mission-oriented research that tackles grand challenges like climate change or public health. Half believe research should always have real-world benefit, up seven points since 2022.
Outreach is also gaining ground: 66% of researchers report engaging the public, policymakers, or media to share their work. Many write for broader audiences, deliver lectures, or advise on policy. Yet they emphasize that curiosity-driven science must not be overshadowed. As one respondent put it, “Focusing only on research with immediate benefits may paradoxically reduce discoveries that yield long-term impact.”
Sustaining a healthy research ecosystem requires balancing fundamental and applied science – and supporting both with time, training, and recognition.
The Researcher of the Future: Supported, Skilled, and Connected
The Elsevier survey suggests that the researcher of the future will be collaborative, AI-empowered, cross-disciplinary, and deeply attuned to societal needs—while upholding integrity and curiosity.
AI tools are saving researchers time, but many feel undertrained and seek stronger institutional support. They see AI as key to accelerating discovery, provided tools are trustworthy, transparent, and guided by sound governance.
Collaboration remains vital. Even as mobility shifts, technology is enabling researchers to work across borders and disciplines. Institutions that invest in AI training and connected research networks will help them thrive.
Researchers also want to make an impact beyond academia but need time, skills, and confidence to do so. Used responsibly, AI can be a powerful enabler—enhancing, not replacing, human expertise and creativity. Learn more: elsevier.io/researcher-of-the-future
We want to hear from you. What skills, resources, or support do you think researchers will need most to thrive in an AI-enabled future? Let us know on LinkedIn.
Thank you to Ann Gabriel, Senior Vice President, Global Strategic Networks, Elsevier (a UIDP Community Partner), for contributing the insights in this week’s 3-Minute Read.
The 3-Minute Read is a UIDP member information piece and does not represent the opinions of our members or representatives. We welcome your comments on our LinkedIn profile.