Researchers Jordi Martínez-Vilalta (CREAF and professor at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona), Maurizio Mencuccini (CREAF and ICREA), Josep Peñuelas (CREAF and CSIC) and Jordi Sardans (CREAF) have once again been included in the index of the most highly cited in the world, published annually by the company Clarivate, which specialises in innovation data and analysis. Martínez-Vilalta and Mencuccini are part of the ranking in the category of Plant and Animal Science, as well as Peñuelas who, in turn, is also distinguished in the field of Environmental and Ecology. And Sardans has been highlighted in the Cross-Field category.
According to Jordi Martinez-Vilalta, the recognition is closely related to the fact of working in “large areas of ecology and plant and animal science, which generate interest and discussion”. According to Maurzio Mencuccini, the connection between his research focus and climate change explains much of the interest generated: “our presence in this ranking indicates the integration between plant science and climate change, and our collaboration with specialists in global change, physics, Earth modelling, etc”. In the words of Josep Peñuelas, appearing again in the index of the most cited science professionals “it’s recognition for us, for our teams and for our fields of research”. As for Jordi Sardans, his scientific production specialises in the response that chemistry can give to environmental problems, “to provide a broad proposal that has a place in various publications”.
The Clarivate index is adapted to recognize the interdisciplinary work of researchers, while coexisting with more recent ones such as that of the Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment and the Declaration on Research Assessment
The Clarivate index has made an effort to adapt to the new times, promoting, for example, the recognition of researchers working in different fields and in an interdisciplinary way. This ranking coexists with others that explore new ways of assessing research that have been emerging in recent years, which aim to promote a more diverse, inclusive and collaborative science, underpinned by rules and practices of ethics and integrity and driven by the goal of maximising the quality and impact of research. Two examples are the approach of the Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment and the Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA).
