Best Ecology and Evolution Universities in Greece 2026

Scope of Research and Criteria

The ranking process entailed the examination of 279,971 scientist profiles across a range of bibliometric data sources. Specifically, 28,170 scientists were identified and analyzed from the field of Ecology and Evolution. To ensure high standards of inclusion, the D-index threshold for eligibility was set at 30, and a majority of a scientist’s top-tier publications had to be in Ecology and Evolution. Scientists’ accolades and achievements within the discipline were considered as a supplemental indicator of research distinction. The threshold for the D-index increases by increments of 10 based on the total number of scholars in each discipline, helping to guarantee that the top 1% of leading scholars are recognized. Furthermore, a proximity of 30% or less between a scientist’s overall H-index and D-index was required, to confirm the primary focus of their scholarly contributions. Distinctions, such as awards and notable achievements, further supported the evaluation process.

Verification Practices

The Research.com team recognizes the limitations of relying solely on raw bibliometric data to evaluate academic output. As such, all scientist profiles included in the ranking underwent manual verification and cross-referencing with publications across a wide range of reputable sources. While the number of articles published in high-impact journals and conference proceedings does not directly influence a researcher's position in the ranking, it serves as a valuable secondary signal of scholarly contribution. The ranking positions are determined by each researcher’s H-index, based on data from OpenAlex and CrossRef—the two most authoritative and widely recognized bibliometric databases available to the academic community. For a comprehensive understanding of the methodology, please refer to our methodology page.

Research.com Mission and Agenda

At Research.com, our mission is to inspire scientists, business leaders, and policymakers worldwide to track the trajectories of top experts and understand evolving trends in every field. We endeavor to provide a transparent, credible tool for the research community to discover the leading specialists within specific academic disciplines, internationally, nationally, and across individual institutions. Our goal is to foster collaboration, knowledge exchange, and continuous progression in science by amplifying global recognition of true scholarly excellence.

Key Findings from the 4th Edition Ranking

• Top Greek institutions by number of leading scientists in Ecology and Evolution:
  • Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (8 scientists)
  • University of the Aegean (6 scientists)
  • National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (4 scientists)
• Representation of global leaders: The world’s most prominent scholars within Ecology and Evolution, as featured in the ranking, are affiliated with institutions such as the University of Minnesota, University of Exeter, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Stanford University, University of Göttingen, University of Queensland, University of Paris-Saclay, Peking University, and Stockholm University.
• Top global scholars:
  • Professor Peter B. Reich (University of Minnesota) – ranked as the best scientist in the world in our discipline, with a D-index of 207.
  • Kevin J. Gaston (University of Exeter) – world rank 2, D-index 188.
  • David Tilman (University of Minnesota) – world rank 3, D-index 182.
• Institutional performance (all disciplines):
  • Average total D-index for the top 5% of universities: 2,286
  • Average total D-index across all 877 institutions: 372
  • Average number of published articles in Ecology and Evolution for the top 5% of scholars: 6,974
  • Average number of published articles across all 877 universities: 1,206
  • Average number of citations for researchers at the top 1% of universities: 1,279,971
  • Average number of citations across all 877 universities: 279,971

These results highlight both the exceptional strength of Greek institutions within the global context and the rigorous, transparent methodology that underpins the Research.com Best Ecology and Evolution Universities in Greece Ranking. This careful, multidimensional approach ensures that our ranking can be trusted as a credible resource by researchers, academics, and institutional leaders alike.