Reflections on a Decade of Global Rankings : what we’ve learned and outstanding issues

Abstract

Ten years have passed since the Shanghai JiaoTong University first published the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) in 2003. Followed shortly thereafter by the Times Higher Education QSTop University Ranking (THE-QS) in 2004, the arrival of rankings has been a game-changer for higher education and research, intensifying cross-national comparisons. They immediately attracted the attention of policymakers and the academy, challenging perceived wisdom about the status and reputation, as well as quality and performance, of higher education institutions (HEIs)