Journal of Higher Education Research

Against the backdrop of the “Double First-Class” decentralization reform, in order to better understand the global standing of China’s top chemistry disciplines, we evaluate their research outcomes by comparing them with those of chemistry departments at other world-class universities. Using the curriculum vitae analysis method, we analyze the quality of chemistry-related papers published over the past three years by top universities at home and abroad. The study finds that international top universities possess a clear advantage in the quality of scientific research outcomes in chemistry; two top Chinese universities maintain a leading position domestically and, to a certain extent, approach the level of international top universities, particularly with outstanding performance by young scholars; international top universities tend to publish their scientific results in journals with higher impact. Based on these findings, we suggest that in order to enhance the international influence of the chemistry discipline, it is necessary to further strengthen collaboration with world-class institutions; build research teams with international competitiveness and influence, and cultivate outstanding backbone talents; continuously promote interdisciplinary cooperation; and reinforce the development of top domestic academic journals.