THES Top Ten Citations Ranking

The Times Higher Education Supplement (THES) 2007 ranking of universities based on citations per staff member highlights institutions that have made significant contributions to research and academic output. Citations per staff member serve as an important indicator of how often the research produced by faculty members is referenced in academic papers, signaling the impact and influence of their work within the academic community.

At the top of this list, California Institute of Technology (Caltech) in the United States was ranked first. Caltech has long been renowned for its cutting-edge research and its faculty's deep engagement in scientific and technological advancements. With a strong focus on areas such as physics, engineering, and applied sciences, Caltech's faculty members produce highly cited research that significantly shapes their respective fields.

Stanford University, also in the United States, followed closely in second place. Stanford has a global reputation for both its academic excellence and its proximity to Silicon Valley, which helps foster groundbreaking research in technology, entrepreneurship, and innovation. The university is home to numerous Nobel laureates and has made pivotal contributions to a wide range of disciplines, from artificial intelligence to biotechnology, further reflected in its high citation counts.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) ranked third on the list. MIT is synonymous with technological and scientific innovation, and its faculty's contributions to fields like engineering, computer science, and economics have consistently been some of the most cited globally. The school's research output is heavily linked to practical applications, especially in areas like renewable energy, artificial intelligence, and nanotechnology.

In fourth place was Ecole Normale Supérieure (ENS) in Paris, France, a prestigious institution with a strong tradition of academic excellence in the sciences and humanities. ENS is known for producing some of France's most influential intellectuals and scientists, and its faculty’s research is widely regarded for its innovation and depth. The university’s rigorous academic programs and emphasis on research have earned it an international reputation for intellectual achievement.

The University of Alabama, located in the United States, ranked fifth. While it may not be as internationally recognized as some of the other top-ranking universities, the University of Alabama has made notable contributions in areas such as engineering, health sciences, and business, particularly in niche fields where its faculty's research has garnered significant attention.

In sixth place, Princeton University, another elite U.S. institution, has long been known for its high-caliber research in a variety of fields including physics, economics, and social sciences. Princeton’s faculty regularly produce research that reshapes both theoretical and applied aspects of their disciplines, making it one of the most influential universities in terms of citation impact.

Harvard University, consistently ranked among the top universities globally, came in seventh on this particular list. Harvard is synonymous with world-leading research and has produced a wealth of groundbreaking work in fields such as medicine, law, business, and the social sciences. Its researchers regularly publish papers that are widely cited across numerous disciplines, ensuring its continued influence in academia.

Johns Hopkins University, with a strong focus on research and innovation, ranked eighth. Known for its leadership in medical research and public health, Johns Hopkins is a leader in both theoretical and applied scientific research, particularly in the fields of medicine, engineering, and public policy. Its medical school is consistently ranked among the best in the world, and its contributions to medical research, especially in the biomedical sciences, are highly regarded.

The University of Zurich in Switzerland secured the ninth spot. As Switzerland’s largest university, the University of Zurich is known for its strong research output, particularly in the fields of economics, business, and health sciences. The university's research is frequently cited for its global impact, especially in studies related to finance and global markets.

Lastly, University of California, San Diego (UCSD) ranked tenth. UCSD is widely recognized for its pioneering research in the fields of oceanography, biotechnology, and neuroscience. As one of the leading public research universities in the U.S., UCSD’s faculty regularly publish influential studies that have a significant impact on both academia and industry.

These universities, most of which are located in the United States, reflect the dominance of American institutions in global research output. The high citation rates associated with their faculty members underscore the immense influence these universities have on shaping academic thought, technological innovation, and global scientific progress. The Times Higher Education Supplement’s ranking of citations per staff member underscores the importance of research productivity and its broader impact on academia, industry, and society at large.

Below is the list of Top 10 universities in citations per staff member, published by THES 2007:
2007 RANK, NAME, COUNTRY
1 California Institute of Technology US
2 Stanford University US
3 Massachusetts Institute of Technology US
4 Ecole Normale Supérieure, Paris France
5 U of Alabama US
6 Princeton Univ US
7 Harvard Univ US
8 Johns Hopkins Uni US
9 Uni of Zurich Switzerland
10 Uni of California, San Diego US

Top 10 UK Universities for Citations per Faculty:
UK Rank, Institution
1 University of Cambridge
2 University of Oxford
3 University College London
4 IMPERIAL College London
5 University of Bristol
6 University of Sussex
7 University of Edinburgh
8 University of Southampton
9 University of Leicester
10 University of Liverpool

Top 10 Japanese Universities for Citations per Faculty:
1 Osaka University
2 Tokyo Institute of Technology
3 Kyoto University
4 University of Tokyo
5 Yokohama City University
6 Showa University
7 Nagoya University
8 Tokyo University of Science (TUS)
9 Tohoku University
10 Tokyo Metropolitan University

Source: THES-QS 2007