UW Clinical Trials Institute’s Post

Maclean's magazine recently released its 2025 University Rankings! Rankings like any other source of information, can be useful provided you understand their underlying methodology, the context in which they exist, the context of your own decision and factors that you as an individual and family face. With that being said, here is a quick peek! Canada's Best Comprehensive Universities for 2025 1. Simon Fraser University 2. University of Victoria 3. University of Waterloo 4. Carleton University 5. York University Canada's Best Universities by National Reputational Ranking 2025 1. University of Toronto 2. The University of British Columbia 3. McGill University 4. University of Waterloo 5. McMaster University In the spirit of transparency and providing a counterpoint for reference, read the document in the comments for an overview of the main critiques behind global university ranking mechanisms. https://lnkd.in/gcwwZAhK

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) Office of Research & Innovation has released the 2023-2024 annual report. UNL is a land-grant, Carnegie R1 institution and member of the Big Ten Academic Alliance. Over the past decade, total research expenditures across UNL, the University of Nebraska Medical Center and the University of Nebraska System Office of the President have increased 53%. UNL’s total sponsored research awards grew 58% during that time. For the seventh consecutive year, the University of Nebraska system is ranked among the world’s top 100 academic institutions receiving U.S. patents, rising five spots to No. 73. Through its Grand Challenges initiative, UNL has committed $40 million toward strategic goal-based solutions in seven focus areas. In addition to addressing pressing societal issues, the interdisciplinary effort has generated new collaborations and opportunities for faculty to make an impact. --- Experience research at UNL ➡️ https://lnkd.in/gSKiiU_A --- #research #highereducation #highered #BIG10 #innovation #discovery #UNL #UNLresearch #nationalsecurity #homelandsecurity #strategicdeterrence

The University of Zurich has announced a courageous decision: they are withdrawing from the league tables, pulling out of the competitive university rankings. These rankings are directly linked to the number of publications [in recognised journals] and the number of research grants obtained. The prestigious university was ranked number 80 among the world's best universities but will stop providing data to the Times Higher Education (THE), which produces such rankings. Like many others, the University of Zurich believes that rankings encourage lecturers and researchers to prioritize quantity over quality in their scientific work, which results in a a plethora of poorly researched, unnecessary publications. The University of Zurich believes that their withdrawal from the rankings will help their researchers focus on advancing science. https://ow.ly/t00h50Ro5hW https://ow.ly/I5Rp50Ro5hX

The University of Florida was mentioned in an announcement by the Board of Governors about increased research expenditures in the state’s university system. 📈 The Board of Governors announced a substantial rise in research spending across Florida's State University System (SUS). Research expenditures surged to $2.94 billion for the 2022-23 academic year, up by over $400 million from the previous year. 🔎 Notably, the University of Florida played a significant role in this increase. The total surpasses the SUS's 2019 projection of $2.68 billion, putting the state's universities on track to exceed their collective $3 billion goal by 2025. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/e3vUSRiC

Quality > Quantity

An important step towards Quality Research and Teaching!

This is a very interesting decision and there is a rational basis behind the decision.

The question is who benefits from this #Ranking, #financially. It's the big publication houses, who controls through #Impact_Factor & #SCOPUS - It's a RAT RACE. Hope other #Universities will follow. In the current Ranking mechanism - for the next many centuries, no 3rd world country university will reach top 10 globally. The whole Ranking in current status is #Flawed. The biggest weightage must be given to universities who have their branches (offline/online) in the poorest countries.

Interesting decision based on the perverse incentive quantitive assessment gives to researchers who want to do the right thing

The University of Zurich has decided to drop out from the economic driven competition with other universities because quality is not the focus of this game. It's a brave step that I highly appreciate, hoping that the academic education sector as a whole refocuses on quality. Perhaps this will also help avoid peer-reviewed articles about rats with three testicles and giant penises (actually happened!), or at least categorize them directly as humor. #academia #worlduniversityranking #educationsystem https://lnkd.in/g7HkJxpG