Twelve researchers from Széchenyi István University are featured in the 2026 Stanford ranking of the world’s top 2% of scientists, which assesses scientific performance and the international impact of publications. The result also reflects the success of the University’s research support system, which offers a wide range of opportunities, from publishing and conference participation to professional mentoring.

The latest results from the internationally recognised ranking associated with Stanford University were published on 7 October. The list identifies the world’s most influential scientists based on citations to their publications and other bibliometric indicators. The methodology, developed by John P. A. Ioannidis, a professor at the US university, draws on data from the Scopus database.

The ranking assesses scientific impact in two separate categories. One examines the impact achieved over a researcher’s entire career, while the other is based on citation data for the last completed year, in this case 2025. In the latter category, according to the latest figures, Hungary ranks 42nd among countries, with 371 researchers included.

Twelve Széchenyi István University researchers are included in the ranking assessing scientific impact in 2025: Abderahman Rejeb, Szabó Attila, Petar Sabev Varbanov, Dávid Lóránt Dénes, Fischer Szabolcs, Majid Rad Movahedi, Adrienn Dineva, Lendvai László, Varga László, Zahra Zahid Piracha, Páll-Gergely Barna and Orosz Tamás. The category assessing impact over the course of an entire career also includes 12 researchers affiliated with Széchenyi István University.

The University’s growing international research performance is also reflected in its publication data. The number of publications affiliated with Széchenyi István University in the Scopus database rose from fewer than 300 in 2021 to more than 1,200 in 2025, quadrupling over the period. Over the same period, the annual number of citations to these publications increased from 2,177 to 12,375, almost sixfold. These figures indicate that the University’s research findings are reaching a wider international audience and attracting greater attention.

Prof Dr Eszter Lukács, the University’s Vice-President for International Affairs and Strategic Relations, said that the University’s comprehensive research support system was also behind these positive developments, providing assistance at various stages of the research process. As part of this support, the University provides access to scientific databases, journals and specialist books, and helps researchers manage their profiles and choose suitable journals for publication. It also provides financial incentives for publishing research papers: agreements with various publishers offer opportunities to publish free of charge, while the Publications Support Programme facilitated the publication of 253 papers in 2025. In addition, research achievements are recognised through the SZE University Scientific Scholarship, with scholarship amounts ranging from several hundred thousand to several million forints.

The Vice-President added that the support provided also extends to developing researchers’ skills and expanding their international networks. Alongside language editing, training courses and lecture series on academic writing and presentation skills help academic staff and researchers develop their abilities. The University also organises conferences that offer opportunities for international publication, supports conference participation and opportunities to gain professional experience abroad, and strengthens research collaborations through visiting professor programmes.

Prof Dr Eszter Lukács emphasised that sharing knowledge and experience within the University is also an important part of its research support system. An increasing number of internationally recognised researchers work at the University, contributing not only through their own achievements but also by helping their colleagues advance professionally. Under the Publications Mentoring Programme, 42 experienced researchers are currently mentoring 62 colleagues across 27 departments in eight faculties. In this way, individual achievements can also contribute to the development of the whole academic community. “The results achieved in the Stanford ranking therefore reflect not only the recognition earned by the researchers concerned, but also the University’s commitment to strengthening research excellence through comprehensive institutional support and by fostering collaboration,” she said.