World Ranking of Top Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Scientists in 2022 (1st Edition)
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On March 1, 2022, Research.com released the 1st edition of the annual ranking for top scientists in the area of mechanical & aerospace engineering. This list of leading scholars is designed to offer the academic community more visibility and exposure to the influential research contributions made by those at the forefront of mechanical & aerospace engineering.
What is more, we hope it will inspire researchers, decision-makers, and entrepreneurs around the world to find out where leading experts are heading. It is a great opportunity for all of us to learn who are the leading experts in different research areas, in different countries, as well as within different universities and research institutions.
For the 2022 edition of the ranking, more than 3600 scientist profiles on Google Scholar and Microsoft Academic Graph have been examined with several indicators and metrics reviewed in order to consider each scientist’s inclusion in the ranking.
The h-index threshold for approving a scholar to be considered was set to 30 if most of their publications were in the field of mechanical & aerospace engineering. The inclusion criteria for scholars to be considered into the ranking of top scientists are based on the discipline h-index, the proportion of contributions made within the given discipline in addition to the awards and achievements of the scientists.
The key findings for the 1st edition of top mechanical & aerospace engineering scientists ranking
- Scholars from the United States are dominating the ranking with 419 scientists representing 41.9% of all leading mechanical & aerospace engineering scientists. The other countries with leading positions in the ranking are China (78 scientists or 7.8%), the UK (77 scientists or 7.7%), Germany (38 scientists or 3.8%), Australia (36 scientists or 3.6%), France (36 scientists or 3.6%), and Canada (33 scientists or 3.3%).
- 8 out of 10 scientists in the top 1% are from the United States, while the other two are from Iran and Romania.
- No. 1 position in the ranking is held by Ted Belytschko from Northwestern University, who has an h-index of 129.
- In 2022 MIT was the research institution hosting the highest number of leading mechanical & aerospace engineers with as many as 24 of them working there this year.
- American universities constitute 80% of the top 10 leading institutions with the only non-American institution being Imperial College London and the University of Cambridge.
- The highest cited scientist is J. N. Reddy from Texas A&M University with 92,862 citations.
- The average H-index for the top 1% of scientists is 113 against an average of 48 for all 1000 scientists included in the ranking.
The full ranking for the 2022 list of top mechanical & aerospace engineering scientists can be found here:
TOP MECHANICAL & AEROSPACE ENGINEERING SCIENTISTS RANKING
Countries with the highest number of leading mechanical & aerospace engineering scientists
Scientists from the United States dominate the list with 419 scholars included in 2022 which represents 41.9% of the whole ranking. 8 out of 10 scientists in the top 1% are from the United States, with the other two being from Iran and Romania.
China ranks second with 78 scientists.
The third spot was taken by the United Kingdom, which currently has 77 ranking scientists.
The other leading countries are Germany with 38 scientists, Australia and France with 36 scientists each, Canada with 33 scientists, and Iran with 30 scholars.
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
In the 2022 edition of our ranking, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology is the leader, with 24 scientists affiliated with that university included in the ranking. Ranking second is the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor with 20 scientists, and the third place is occupied by the Georgia Institute of Technology with 16 scholars.
American universities constitute 80% of the top 10 leading institutions with the only non-American institution being Imperial College London and the University of Cambridge.
8 out of 10 institutions in the top 1% of leading scientists are based in the USA, the other two are the Babol Noshirvani University of Technology, Iran (ranked 3rd), and Babes-Bolyai University, Romania (ranked 6th).
Among 20 leading institutions 15 are universities based in the US, the other five are based in the UK (Imperial College London, and the University of Cambridge), Australia (University of Sydney), Singapore (National University of Singapore), and China (Hong Kong Polytechnic University).
Enriching Aerospace Research through Online Degree Programs
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Online education has opened up new avenues for anyone aspiring to become an aerospace engineer, as it does for those who wish to be an industrial engineer and similar engineering fields. By collaborating with students and experts from diverse backgrounds with unique views and experiences, these professionals can leverage online programs to drive innovation and generate breakthroughs that can significantly impact the development of aircraft, spacecraft, and satellites. With the pace of technological progress, it is clear that online education will only grow in importance in this field, offering individuals new ways to explore the universe and push the boundaries of what is possible.
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What are the long-term career benefits of obtaining a bachelor's degree over an associate degree?
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How do vocational training outcomes compare with traditional engineering careers?
Vocational training provides an alternative pathway that emphasizes hands-on proficiency and rapid entry into technical roles, often leading to competitive compensation. In contrast to academic routes, such as accelerated or online bachelor’s programs, trade-oriented education focuses on immediate practical application and industry-specific skill sets. Data on compensation trends indicate that even with shorter programs, graduates can achieve significant financial milestones, as evidenced by the average salary of a trade school graduate. This practical approach, when combined with continuing professional development, broadens career options and offers a unique complement to the research and theoretical emphasis found in advanced engineering degrees.
Can 1 year masters degrees accelerate career progression in mechanical & aerospace engineering?
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Do accelerated degree pathways effectively bridge the skills gap in mechanical & aerospace engineering?
Accelerated and industry-specific degree programs are designed to rapidly equip professionals with the targeted competencies demanded by today’s evolving aerospace landscape. These programs distill core technical concepts and practical applications into streamlined curricula, enabling graduates to promptly address complex industry challenges. By integrating real-world projects and collaborative learning with industry stakeholders, this educational approach facilitates a swift transition from academic settings to professional roles. For insights on alternative academic tracks that combine efficiency with strong career outcomes, consider exploring fast degrees that pay well.
H-index ranking – leaders, averages, and distribution
For North America, Professor Ted Belytschko, from Northwestern University, US ranks 1st on our list of leading scientists with a high H-index of 129.
Professor Mohsen Sheikholeslami from the Babol Noshirvani University of Technology, Iran leads the top list in Asia with an H-index of 124 and a world ranking of 3.
For Europe, Professor Ioan Pop from the Babes-Bolyai University, Romania is ranked the first in the region, but he's also listed no. 6 in the world ranking, with an H-index of 109.
For Oceania, Professor Yiu-Wing Mai from the University of Sydney, Australia is on top of the list with a world ranking of 21.
Professor Ashraf M. Zenkour who is affiliated with Kafrelsheikh University, Egypt is the first for Africa with a world ranking of 126.
Professor Michael J. Brennan from the Brazilian Sao Paulo State University is the highest-ranking scientist from South America with a world ranking of 243.
The average H-index for the top 1% of scientists is 113 against an average of 48 for all 1000 scientists included in the ranking.
The scholar with the lowest index value who made it to the ranking in 2022 has an H-index of 32.
The average number of published articles for the 1% scientists in the ranking is 480 against an average of 192 for all 1000 scholars.
The average number of citations for the top 1% of scientists is 59,184 against an average of 10,276 for all 1000 scholars. The highest cited scientist is J. N. Reddy from Texas A&M University with 92,862 citations.
You can learn more about the methodology used to create the ranking 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.
