Stanford Researchers Release 2026 Citation Index
The annual global list identifies the top two percent of scientists based on career-long and recent citation impacts.
Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Science — General
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Stanford and John Ioannidis have published the 2026 researcher ranking index, which highlights the most-cited scientific minds across various disciplines globally. This year, the list features several scholars from the Peace Research Institute Oslo among the top tier of international experts.
Why it matters
Citation metrics serve as a standard indicator for measuring the influence of a researcher's work within the global scientific community. Identifying top-ranked scientists helps institutions and peers track the reach and impact of specific research programs and findings.
The ranking relies on rigorous citation metrics to measure scientific influence. It identifies the top 2% of researchers worldwide based on career-long impact and specific contributions during the 2025 assessment period.
The players
Stanford University
This prestigious research institution hosts the team that develops the annual author ranking index.
John Ioannidis
He is a prominent professor at Stanford known for his work in clinical research and the creation of standardized citation metrics.
Peace Research Institute Oslo
This independent research organization focuses on issues related to peace, conflict, and international relations.
The details
The ranking highlights multiple researchers from the Peace Research Institute Oslo, including Nils Petter Gleditsch, Halvard Buhaug, Jørgen Carling, Håvard Hegre, and Cindy Horst, for their long-term citation impact. Additionally, Kristian Skrede Gleditsch, Scott Gates, and Nina von Uexkull are recognized for career-long achievement, while Marta Bivand Erdal, Gudrun Østby, and Henrik Urdal are cited for their research impact during 2025.
Timeline
2025 was the assessment period for the annual citation impact ranking.
2026 is the year the Stanford / Ioannidis Author Ranking was published.
The Big Picture
This release updates the Stanford/Ioannidis Author Ranking to reflect ongoing shifts in scientific output and citation influence. The methodology continues to serve as a critical benchmark for validating the legacy impact of long-term academic research programs.
Readers can use this index to identify leading experts and influential research programs within their specific fields of interest. The ranking helps academic and policy stakeholders evaluate the credibility of scientific data and prioritize high-impact research.
The takeaway
Understanding how scientific influence is measured can provide valuable context when assessing new breakthroughs or public health research. Researchers and students may use these rankings to identify potential mentors or key publications that have shaped modern academic disciplines.
Further reading
Learn more about recent academic developments in the Science — General section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Prio.
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