One quarter of country's leading researchers from University of Auckland

Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland has again confirmed its position as new Zealand’s research powerhouse, with its academics making up one quarter of all New Zealand researchers recognised among the world’s top two percent.

A total of 292 University of Auckland researchers feature in the prestigious Stanford–Elsevier Top 2 percent of Scientists rankings for 2025. The annual update to a publicly available database lists the top 100,000 scientists worldwide based on their ‘c-score’, a composite indicator of research publications. According to the Stanford Elsevier database these are the scientists who are in the top 2 percent in their field. The 2025 result reflects the University’s broad research strength across disciplines, from health and engineering to social sciences, the arts and humanities.

“This recognition is a powerful endorsement of the global impact and quality of our research,” said Vice-Chancellor Professor Dawn Freshwater.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research and Innovation, Professor Frank Bloomfield said: “These results reflect the incredible depth of talent and dedication across our faculties. Our researchers’ efforts to ensure their work has real-world benefit and contributes to the advancement of knowledge globally is reflected in the strength of their performance internationally.”

Professors Freshwater and Bloomfield also feature in the Stanford-Elsevier Top 2 percent of Scientists rankings. This year’s analysis highlights a vibrant research environment within the University, with 56 new entrants, 113 improved rankings and 122 maintaining or slightly declining from last year’s positions.

Leading the way is Professor Virginia Braun, who climbed to 140th in the world overall, up from 178th last year. She is joined in the global top 500 by Honorary Professor Kevin Trenberth, and Associate Professor Fan Zhu (367), all from the Faculty of Science.

The University continues to shine across disciplines, with a number of researchers ranked among the top 100 worldwide in their fields. Professor Cathy Stinear (Neurology and Neurosurgery) and Professor Steven Galbraith (Artificial Intelligence and Image Processing) each hold the #1 global ranking in their respective areas.

With researchers performing at the highest levels across a wide range of disciplines, the University of Auckland continues to lead New Zealand’s contribution to global scholarship, innovation, and impact. The annual rankings comprise an all-time list and a 2025 list, based on research metrics for 2024.

The separate 2024 single-year rankings recognise 276 University of Auckland researchers, including 53 emeritus or honorary academics. The following academics feature in the top 50 in their field worldwide.