The Highly Cited Researchers (HCR) list identifies scholars whose published papers rank in the top 1% by citations in their respective fields and year.
Being included demonstrates exceptional global influence, research excellence, and leadership in advancing science.
Why the HCR List Matters
| Benefit | Explanation |
|---|---|
 Global Recognition | Positions you among the world’s most influential scientists |
 Academic Prestige | Strengthens your reputation for excellence and innovation |
 Research Visibility | Your studies receive broader citation and media coverage |
 Collaboration Opportunities | Invitations to co-author, keynote, and join global consortia |
 Career Advancement | Valued in promotion, funding, and institutional rankings |
 Institutional Impact | Improves your university’s research standing and metrics |
About the Highly Cited Researchers List
- Publisher: Clarivate Analytics (Web of Science Group)
- Coverage: 22 scientific fields + interdisciplinary category
- Frequency: Updated annually
- Basis: Papers ranking in the top 1% by citations in Web of Science Core Collection
Official Link: https://clarivate.com/highly-cited-researchers
How Researchers Are Selected
| Criterion | Description |
|---|---|
 Citation Performance | Top 1% by field and year based on citations |
 Publication Volume | Sufficient papers in Web of Science Core Collection |
 Field Normalization | Comparison within same discipline and year |
 Author Verification | Name disambiguation and affiliation confirmation |
 Global Distribution | Representation of researchers from > 70 countries |
How to Qualify and Build Toward the HCR List
Publish in High-Impact Journals
Prefer journals indexed in Web of Science and Scopus.
Quality and visibility matter more than quantity.
Focus on Highly Citable Topics
Choose emerging, interdisciplinary areas that attract broad interest.
Collaborate Strategically
International and multi-disciplinary collaboration boosts citation reach.
Maintain Consistency
Publish regularly and ensure all papers are well-indexed and linked to your ORCID and Scopus ID.
Track Your Citation Performance
Use tools like:
- Web of Science Author Profile
- Publons
Promote Your Research Ethically
Share findings on academic networks, repositories, and media channels with proper attribution.
Best Practices for Aspiring HCRs
| Action | Purpose |
|---|---|
 Maintain accurate author profiles (ORCID, Publons) | Ensure correct citation tracking |
| Use consistent affiliation name and email | Improves institutional recognition |
| Engage in open access publishing | Boosts readership and citations |
| Contribute to reviews and meta-analyses | These papers are heavily cited |
| Mentor young researchers | Expands your academic network |
| Track citation alerts monthly | Helps monitor growth and trends |
Common Challenges
- Low visibility due to non-indexed journals
- Inconsistent author name across databases
- Limited international collaboration
- Predatory publishing reducing credibility
- Ignoring self-promotion and open sharing channels
Ethics & Integrity
Always maintain ethical research practices:
- Avoid citation cartels or manipulation.
- Do not inflate citations through fake accounts or mass self-citation.
- Follow the COPE Guidelines for ethical authorship and citation conduct.
Useful Resources
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| Clarivate HCR Portal | https://clarivate.com/highly-cited-researchers |
| Web of Science Author Profiles | https://www.webofscience.com |
| Publons (Researcher Metrics) | https://publons.com |
| Scopus Author ID | https://www.scopus.com |
| ORCID Registration | https://orcid.org |
| Europub Certificate System | https://cms.europub.co.uk |
| Europub Database | https://europub.co.uk |
| Europub Scientific News | https://news.europub.co.uk |
FAQs — Highly Cited Researchers List
1. Is the HCR list open access?
Yes. Clarivate publishes the list freely each year.
2. Do citations from Google Scholar count for HCR?
No, only citations recorded in Web of Science Core Collection count toward HCR ranking.
3. How many citations are needed to qualify?
It varies by field and year; typically papers in the top 1% by citations in their category.
4. Can young researchers appear on the list?
Yes, with strong output in highly cited papers over recent years.
5. Are institutions ranked by HCRs?
Yes — universities and countries are also ranked based on the number of HCRs.
6. Can I apply for inclusion?
No formal application; selection is data-driven based on Clarivate’s analytics.
Europub Certification Reminder
Strengthen your academic profile with verified metrics and certificates from Europub:
- Citation Performance Certificate
- h-index & i10-index Verification
- Highly Cited Researcher Recognition Certificate
- DOI & ORCID Integration
Apply now via https://cms.europub.co.uk
