World Online Ranking of Best Earth Scientists – 2023 Report
Co-Founder and Chief Data Scientist
On April 4, 2023, Research.com released the second edition of our best earth scientists ranking. The yearly report provides an up-to-date list of the leading researchers in this field. It also aims to promote scientists and academics by increasing their visibility online and highlighting their contributions to earth science.
In this 2023 report, we have included an overview of the latest discoveries in the field of earth science research. There is also a section that discusses how trends in online education impact the way scientists, professionals, and students collaborate on research projects. It is a great opportunity to share these details and get a glimpse of where researchers and scientific discoveries are heading.
The D-index threshold for considering a scientist in our ranking was set to 30 if most of their publications were in the field of earth science. Other criteria used in the ranking include the number of contributions in the discipline and the awards achieved by the scientist.
Latest discoveries in earth science research
The past two years saw some fascinating discoveries in the field of earth science research. One was the impact of human activities on the environment highlighted by COVID-19 lockdowns. NASA wrote about the significant declines in global concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO2). For example, NASA scientists evaluated the reduction in satellite measurements of NO2 over China before and after the 2020 Lunar New Year, when NO2 levels are typically low. They found reductions in 2020 were more than 20% greater than typical holiday-related reductions. This research reinforces how human activity influences the environment.
Another was the daily vertical migrations of marine animals. Called the diel vertical migration (DVM), satellites were finally able to observe this phenomenon on a global scale. The findings offered a crucial understanding of the biological and biogeochemical operations of the ocean, and also provide a direction for enhancing our comprehension of the ocean as a complete system.
Moreover, discoveries in fields such as astronomy and genetics have advanced our understanding of the universe and the human family tree. For instance, paleoanthropologists identified new human relatives with fossils discovered in Africa and the Philippines. Meanwhile, astronomers who have been measuring the cosmos using some of the most sophisticated instruments ever built were finally successful in capturing the first image of the environment around a black hole.
The Key findings for the 2nd edition of the best earth science scientists ranking
- Scientists from the United States dominate the ranking with 500 scholars included in 2023. This is 50% of the best earth scientists.
- The other countries in the top 5 are the United Kingdom (94 scientists), Australia (73), France (51), and Germany (49).
- Out of the top 10 scientists this year, 5 are from the United States.
- In the 2023 report, the California Institute of Technology (last year's number one) shares the top spot with Stanford University. Both have 21 scientists affiliated with the institutions.
- The top-ranking scientist in earth science is Christopher T. Russell from the University of California, Los Angeles, United States with a D-index of 161.
- American universities make up 13 of the top 20 leading institutions (65%). Other leading universities come from Australia, the U.K., China, the Netherlands, and Switzerland.
- The average D-index for the top 1% of scientists is 138.4 against an average of 76.45 for all scientists included in the ranking.
The full ranking for the 2023 list of the best earth scientists can be found here:
How can online degree programs drive career advancement in earth science?
The digital transformation in higher education has paved the way for flexible learning pathways that directly impact career progression in earth science. Online degree programs now offer specialized curricula designed to bridge the gap between academic theory and practical application in emerging sectors such as remote sensing, environmental modeling, and data analytics. These programs empower aspiring professionals to acquire industry-relevant skills without the constraints of traditional on-campus schedules. For instance, pursuing a fast bachelor's degree online allows students to quickly gain the foundational knowledge required by employers while staying adaptive to evolving market demands.
How do professional certifications enhance career opportunities in earth science research?
In today’s competitive research landscape, acquiring professional certifications can significantly complement academic achievements. Targeted credentials not only validate specialized skills but also address industry demands by ensuring that professionals stay abreast of technological advancements and interdisciplinary methodologies. Integrating certification courses—such as easy licenses and certifications to get—offers tangible benefits, including improved research innovation and enhanced collaboration across sectors.
How Do Educational Pathways Influence Career Prospects in Earth Science?
Advanced academic programs and targeted professional training serve as key determinants in shaping robust career trajectories for earth science researchers. Integrating applied learning experiences with innovative research opportunities helps professionals develop the expertise required to navigate the evolving demands of the industry. Moreover, aligning academic pursuits with practical skills reinforces long-term success and competitiveness. Exploring options such as degrees that make the most money can provide valuable insights for those aiming to optimize their educational investments and advance in their scientific careers.
Countries with the highest number of leading earth science scientists
The U.S. has the most number of scientists in the best earth scientists report. The country has 500 scholars, up 10 from 490 in our previous ranking.
The U.K. maintains its second-place ranking with 94 but this is also down from last year's 98.
The third spot was taken by Australia, which currently has 73 ranking scientists. The same pattern applies to Australia and France—retaining their third and fourth place rankings, respectively but losing head count for scientists. Australia has 73 (from 74 scientists) and France has 51 (from 53).
Meanwhile, Germany increases its number of scientists in the ranking from 45 in 2022 to 49 this year. Other countries in order of ranking from six to tenth: Canada (46 scientists), China (44), Switzerland (29), Japan (21), and the Netherlands (18).
Please note that the country associated with a scientist is based on their affiliated research institution according to MAG, not on their actual nationality.
Institutions with the highest number of leading scientists
The California Institute of Technology and Stanford University are the leading institutions in our report with 21 scientists each.
The Australian National University is at the second spot with 19 scientists, followed by the University of Colorado Boulder with 16. Sharing fourth place are the University of California, Los Angeles, and ETH Zurich with 15 scientists.
This year's report has three universities all tied for the fifth position: Utrecht University, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and MIT. All have 14 scientists.
The same pattern applies to the next three spots—sixth, seventh, and eighth. The University of Cambridge, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, and the University of Oxford are tied for sixth place.
University of Bristol, Arizona State University, and the United States Geological Survey share the seventh place.
Finally, the University of California, Santa Barbara, the University of Hawaii at Manoa, and the University of California, San Diego share the eighth spot.
The University of California, Berkeley takes this year's ninth place, while Brown University rounds up the list at tenth place.
Strengthening research in online universities
Even before the pandemic, institutions have been delivering online education and leveraging technology to do so. Experts project the global online education market to reach $585.48 billion by 2027.
Today, the attitude toward online universities is more positive and more universities continue to strengthen their infrastructures and academic offerings to cater to programs and services that students want. We see this trend also impacting the way academic research is now being conducted online.
For one, professionals, researchers, and students can freely collaborate no matter where they are in the world. Thanks to technologies driving learning management systems and other online collaboration software, it is now faster to produce and deliver information. Earth scientists, journalists, professors, and the like can now work at the global level on research projects or topics that interest them.
Moreover, online universities invest in software and other IT-related tools to support students and researchers in their academic pursuits in earth science. All these can make research life more convenient and enhance the overall productivity of researchers.
How do research funding models impact earth science advancements?
Research funding models significantly influence the pace and scope of earth science advancements. Diverse funding sources—from governmental grants and private investments to collaborative international funds—determine research priorities, enable state-of-the-art experiments, and foster innovative partnerships. Efficient allocation of these financial resources allows institutions to invest in cutting-edge technology and expand training programs that enhance research quality. In addition, cost-effective education platforms, such as online colleges cheap programs, contribute to building a talented workforce that supports sustainable research growth.
What are the emerging challenges in earth science research?
Leading earth scientists are navigating a rapidly evolving research landscape marked by funding uncertainties, technological shifts, and interdisciplinary skill demands. Recent challenges include adapting to robust digital infrastructures for data collection and analysis alongside integrating diverse research methodologies. To remain competitive, researchers are increasingly pursuing specialized training and academic flexibility, including programs such as online degrees for working adults, which provide scalable education solutions to meet contemporary career requirements.
How do online doctorate programs influence earth science research?
Advanced online doctoral programs are emerging as a strategic catalyst in earth science, providing specialized research methodologies and fostering interdisciplinary collaborations. These programs deliver rigorous academic training that empowers scientists to integrate advanced data analytics, remote sensing, and environmental modeling into their research. Flexible learning pathways offered by doctorate degrees online broaden access to high-level research training, enabling experts to balance fieldwork with computational studies and innovative experiment designs.
How can accelerated online programs expedite early career advancement in earth science?
Accelerated online programs offer a rapid pathway for emerging professionals to acquire essential technical and analytical skills that lay the foundation for competent research careers. These short-term educational formats empower early-career individuals to quickly grasp core principles in earth science, thereby fostering innovation and bridging the gap between academic preparation and industry demands. By providing flexible, time-efficient learning modalities, such programs enable participants to seamlessly integrate professional development with ongoing research projects, enhancing collaborative opportunities and practical application of new techniques. For those seeking swift entry into the field, consider exploring the best online associate degrees in 6 months to strengthen your early career profile while maintaining a competitive edge.
D-index ranking-leaders, averages, and distribution
In North America, Professor Christopher T. Russell from the University of California, Los Angeles, United States, is the leading scientist. Professor Russell has a D-index of 161. He is also the best scientist in the 2023 report.
In Asia, Professor Guochun Zhao from the University of Hong Kong, China is the leading scientist with a D-index of 132. Professor Zhao ranks 10th in our report.
In Europe, Professor Jean Poesen from KU Leuven, Belgium leads other scientists in this field. Professor Poesen has a D-index of 135 and ranks 8th in our report.
In Oceania, Professor William L. Griffin from Macquarie University, Australia is the leading scientist. Professor Griffin has a D-index of 139 and is this year's 3rd leading earth scientist.
In Africa, Professor Emmanuel John M. Carranza from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa is the top scientist. He leads other scientists with a D-index of 69.
The average D-index for the top 1% of scientists is 138.4 against an average of 76.45 for all scientists in 2023's report.
The average number of published articles for the top 1% of scientists in the report is 1121.4 against an average of 333.96 for all scholars.
The average number of citations for the top 1% of scientists is 72,895.9 against an average of 22, 273.24 for all scholars.
You can learn more about the methodology used to create this report here.
About Research.com
All research was coordinated by Imed Bouchrika, Ph.D., a computer scientist with a well-established record of collaboration on a number of international research projects with different partners from the academic community. His role was to make sure all data remained unbiased, accurate, and up-to-date.
Research.com is the number one research portal for science and educational rankings. Our mission is to make it easier for professors, research fellows, and students to progress with their research and find the top experts in a wide range of scientific disciplines. Research.com is also a leading educational platform that helps students find the best colleges, academic opportunities, and career paths.
