Trends and production dynamics in university rankings research: A bibliometric analysis for higher education policy

Abstract

The globalisation of higher education has amplified demand for institutional rankings, influencing student decisions and shaping institutional strategies. Although substantial attention has been devoted to the methodology and validity of the indicators and metrics used in rankings, there is less understanding of how these rankings intersect with national and institutional policy objectives. The predominance of publication-based metrics has incentivised behaviours focused on maximising visibility and citation counts, raising concerns regarding the authenticity of scholarly impact. This paper explores current trends, influences, and debates surrounding university rankings, highlighting the pressures they exert on researchers, institutions, and policymakers. Employing a bibliometric approach, the authors analysed and mapped the evolution of the ranking discourse, identifying consistent themes and shifts in focus over time. A bibliometric analysis of 419 journal articles traced and analysed four decades of research on university rankings, spanning from the late 1980s to 2025. The study found that research on university rankings has expanded significantly in scale and complexity, increasingly addressing global trends and policy shifts. In the discussion, these findings are interpreted in light of ongoing debates regarding the balance between global benchmarking pressures and local transformation and equity priorities. The paper recommends policy reforms that strike a balance between worldwide visibility and local relevance, thereby contributing to discussions on equitable academic development in diverse higher education contexts.