Institutional positions in the ranking are determined by the sum of D-indexes (Discipline H-index) of all affiliated scholars whose primary publication area is Earth Science. The D-index is a highly focused metric that includes only publications and citation data relevant to the evaluated discipline, ensuring the ranking's precise reflection of specialist research contributions.
Scope of Research Considered
The scope of this edition is substantial, as the evaluation commenced with 279,971 scientist profiles identified from various bibliometric sources. Out of these, 31,170 scholars specializing in Earth Science were examined in detail. To qualify for inclusion, each scientist needed to achieve a D-index of at least 30, with the majority of their most prominent publications situated within the Earth Science discipline. The consideration of notable awards and achievements in Earth Science further enhanced the accuracy and richness of the analysis.
Top researcher selection was refined by setting a D-index threshold in increments of 10, tailored to the total number of scholars estimated for each field, with the guarantee that the highest-performing 1% of scholars would be captured by these standards. Additionally, a proximity requirement—ensuring a 30% or less difference between a scientist’s general H-index and their D-index—was enforced to verify the specialization of each scholar. Recognitions in Earth Science continued to provide an important context in highlighting leading researchers.
Verification and Quality Assurance
The Research.com team acknowledges the limitations of raw bibliometric data and, as such, employed extensive manual verification practices for every scientist profile included in the ranking. All researcher data were cross-referenced with authoritative publications from a wide range of reputable sources to ensure accuracy and reliability.
While not a primary ranking factor, the volume of papers published in high-impact journals and conference proceedings was also reviewed, serving as a valuable secondary indicator of a scientist’s impact within Earth Science. Positioning within the ranking is specifically based on each researcher’s H-index, as documented by OpenAlex and CrossRef—both regarded as the preeminent bibliometric databases available to the global scholarly community.
For those seeking further detail on our comprehensive methodology, we invite you to consult our methodology page.
The Agenda of Research.com
At Research.com, our mission is to inspire scientists, business leaders, and policymakers internationally to explore and recognize emerging directions in research expertise. By providing transparent and data-driven rankings, we aim to enable the global research community to identify leading experts in specific disciplines, across diverse countries, and within renowned academic institutions. Our rankings are designed as a tool for informed decision-making, collaboration, and recognition of scientific excellence.
Key Results from the 2024 Earth Science University Ranking in Poland
- Top 3 Polish institutions by number of leading Earth Science scientists:
- Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań (3 scientists)
- AGH University of Science and Technology (3 scientists)
- Jagiellonian University (2 scientists)
- Global representation of leading Earth Science scholars:
The most prominent Earth Science scholars in the world are affiliated with Brown University, KU Leuven, Macquarie University, Curtin University, Utrecht University, University of Colorado Boulder, University of Hong Kong, China University of Geosciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University, and University of Bristol.
- Top 3 Earth Science scholars worldwide:
- Professor James W. Head (Brown University), D-index: 148
- Jean Poesen (KU Leuven), D-index: 147
- William L. Griffin (Macquarie University), D-index: 144
- Benchmark citation and publication metrics:
- The average total D-index for the top 5% of universities: 2404 (compared to 377 for all 822 institutions ranked)
- The average number of published articles in Earth Science by scholars at the top 5% of universities: 9544 (compared to 1521 for all 822 universities)
- The average number of citations for researchers at top 1% universities: 279,971 (compared to 80,226 for all 822 universities)
These results provide compelling insight into institutional excellence and individual leadership in Earth Science, both in Poland and internationally. The Research.com ranking process underscores our dedication to data accuracy, methodological rigor, and the global advancement of scientific knowledge.
