The University of California has regained its position as the top institution globally for highly cited researchers, according to the 2025 Highly Cited Researchers List published by Clarivate. The list includes 288 scientists from UC’s ten campuses and three national laboratories, marking UC as the leading institution in terms of influential research output worldwide.
To be included on this list, researchers must have published multiple papers that are among the top one percent most cited over the past decade. In 2025, Clarivate recognized a total of 6,868 individuals across more than 1,300 institutions in 60 countries. Scientists affiliated with UC represent about 4.2 percent of all those named.
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 university’s impact: “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.”
This year’s rankings put UC ahead of other major institutions such as the Chinese Academy of Sciences (258 highly cited researchers), Harvard University (170), Stanford University (141), and Tsinghua University (91). Four UC campuses also rank among the top 25 globally: UC Berkeley is ranked 15th with 53 highly cited researchers; both UCLA and UC San Diego are tied at 18th with 50 each; while UC San Francisco holds 21st place with 48.
Clarivate also analyzed “Researchers With Staying Power,” identifying a group who have appeared on its annual list every year from 2014 to 2024. Of these consistent high performers’ primary affiliations over eleven years—totaling more than four thousand—UC accounts for more than any other institution worldwide.
UC faculty members are also notable for recognition across multiple disciplines. Twelve researchers with primary or secondary affiliations to UC were acknowledged in two or more fields this year. Additionally, Rob Knight from UC San Diego was one of only thirty-one scientists worldwide recognized in three or more categories.
Clarivate’s methodology combines citation data with additional quantitative metrics, qualitative analysis, and expert judgment to select honorees annually.
