A university’s position in the ranking is determined by aggregating the D-indexes (Discipline H-index) of all affiliated scholars whose primary publication area is within Economics and Finance. The D-index is a focused metric: it includes exclusively publications and citation data relevant to the examined discipline, ensuring an accurate and discipline-specific assessment of scholarly impact.
Scope of Research and Methodological Framework
To ensure exhaustive coverage and fairness, the analysis examined 279,971 scientist profiles sourced from diverse bibliometric data providers. Of these, 12,210 scientists specializing in Economics and Finance were subjected to detailed analysis. To maintain high standards for recognition, the qualifying threshold for a scholar's D-index was set at 30, with the stipulation that a majority of their top-tier publications be in the field of Economics and Finance.
In addition to bibliometric metrics, consideration was given to scientist awards and achievements in the field of Economics and Finance. The D-index threshold for considering top researchers is adjusted in increments of 10, based on the total number of scholars in each discipline, while ensuring inclusion of the top 1% of leading scholars. The methodology also requires that the proximity between a scientist’s general H-index and their D-index does not exceed 30%, reinforcing the discipline-specific validity of featured scholars. Once again, major awards and professional achievements in Economics and Finance were additional selection factors.
Verification Practices and Data Integrity
We recognize that raw bibliometric data, however robust, should not be the sole instrument to gauge academic excellence. For this reason, every scientist profile was subjected to manual verification and cross-correlation with publications indexed across a multitude of trusted sources. Although not directly influencing researcher placement, the number of papers published in top-tier journals and conference proceedings offers a valuable secondary measure of a scholar’s contribution to the discipline.
Final positions in the ranking are grounded in each researcher’s H-index, meticulously calculated based on data from OpenAlex and CrossRef, which are among the most recognized and respected bibliometric databases available to the international research community. For an in-depth understanding of our evaluation principles, we invite you to review the detailed methodology outlined on our methodology page.
Research.com Agenda and Mission
The Research.com rankings are crafted with a distinct mission: to motivate scientists, business leaders, and policymakers worldwide to keep abreast of emerging directions taken by top experts, and to facilitate the identification of preeminent contributors in specific fields, whether on a global scale, within individual countries, or at institutional levels. We strive to foster transparency and accessibility, thereby empowering the entire research community to recognize and engage with leading scholars in strategic disciplines like Economics and Finance.
Key Results of the 4th Edition Ranking
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Top three Italian institutions by number of leading scientists in Economics and Finance:
- Bocconi University: 19 scientists
- European University Institute: 7 scientists
- Polytechnic University of Milan: 5 scientists
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Global representation of the most prominent scholars in Economics and Finance:
- Columbia University
- University of Chicago
- Harvard University
- MIT
- Imperial College London
- Indiana University
- Federal University of Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées
- London School of Economics and Political Science
- University of California, Berkeley
- The Ohio State University
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Leading individual scholars, worldwide:
- Professor Joseph E. Stiglitz (Columbia University) – D-index: 191
- James J. Heckman (University of Chicago) – D-index: 181
- Andrei Shleifer (Harvard University) – D-index: 168
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Aggregate discipline metrics:
- Average total D-index for the top 5% of universities: 1987
- Average total D-index for all 584 institutions: 234
- Average number of published Economics and Finance articles by top 5% universities: 6,674
- Average number of published articles for all 584 universities: 903
- Average citations of researchers affiliated with top 1% universities: 3,279,971
- Average citations across all 584 universities: 279,971
This ranking is the result of comprehensive and meticulous research, ensuring that the institutions and individuals featured are objectively recognized for their scientific contributions and impact in the field of Economics and Finance.
