The University of California has been recognized as the top institution in the world for highly cited researchers, according to the 2025 Highly Cited Researchers List published by Clarivate. The list identifies 288 scientists from UC’s ten campuses and three national laboratories whose research ranks among the most influential globally.
Clarivate’s 2025 list includes a total of 6,868 researchers from more than 1,300 institutions across 60 countries. To be included, researchers must have authored multiple papers that are in the top one percent by citations over the past decade. UC scientists represent approximately 4.2 percent of those named on this year’s global list.
David Pendlebury, head of research analysis at Clarivate’s Institute for Scientific Information, stated: “The Highly Cited Researchers list identifies and celebrates exceptional individual researchers at the University of California who demonstrate significant and broad influence in their fields. They exemplify excellence in their research as well as integrity in their publication and citation practices. These researchers continue to shape the future of science, technology and academia globally and deliver innovation that drives societal progress.”
UC President James B. Milliken commented on the impact of UC scientists: “As this ranking shows, UC scientists have an outsized global influence when it comes to creating new knowledge and opening up exciting new pathways for further research and discovery. No other institution in the world is doing more to advance new cures for disease, develop cutting-edge technology that keeps America prosperous and secure, and forge new understandings of our universe and our place in it than the University of California.”
UC regained its lead position from last year’s top-ranked Chinese Academy of Sciences. The current rankings place UC ahead of leading institutions such as Harvard University and Stanford University.
Within its system, four UC campuses are listed among the top 25 worldwide for highly cited researchers: UC Berkeley (15th), UCLA (18th), UC San Diego (18th), and UC San Francisco (21st).
Clarivate also highlighted a group called “Researchers With Staying Power,” consisting of scientists who have appeared on every annual highly cited researcher list since 2014. Of these consistent contributors, a significant number have primary affiliations with UC campuses—more than any other institution globally—with six campuses ranked among the world’s top thirty for such long-term recognition.
Additionally, several faculty members from various UC campuses were acknowledged for achievements across multiple scientific disciplines. Twelve researchers affiliated with UC appear on Clarivate’s list recognizing contributions in two or more fields; only a small subset worldwide receive this distinction.
Among those recognized in three or more fields is Rob Knight from UC San Diego. His work spans Biology and Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Molecular Biology and Genetics.
Clarivate selects individuals based not only on citation counts but also considers other quantitative metrics alongside expert judgment each year before finalizing its annual list.
