Thirty-two scholars from City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) were named Highly Cited Researchers 2024 by Clarivate, placing the University 29th globally, a leap of 15 places from last year. CityUHK was also ranked 8th in Asia and 2nd in Hong Kong. In terms of faculty size, the percentage of the world’s most Highly Cited Researchers put CityUHK first in Hong Kong for the ninth consecutive year, reflecting the significant academic impact and international recognition of its research team.

The list recognises scientists and social scientists who have demonstrated substantial influence in their fields by publishing multiple highly cited papers ranked in the top 1% by citations. This year, 6,636 scholars from 59 countries and regions were named as Highly Cited Researchers 2024.

Professor Freddy Boey, President of CityUHK, congratulated all the listed scholars and said, "CityUHK scholars strive for innovation and excellence, addressing global challenges with pioneering research that has a positive societal impact. Their outstanding research achievements are widely cited by their peers, further advancing academic and research development. I am immensely proud of their accomplishments."

Among the selected CityUHK scholars, four were recognised in multiple academic fields: Professor David Lou Xiongwen, Chair Professor of the Department of Chemistry, Professor Zhang Hua, Herman Hu Chair Professor of Nanomaterials and Chair Professor of the Department of Chemistry and the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Professor Zhi Chunyi, Chair Professor of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, and Professor Tan Chaoliang, Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering. Professor Lou is one of 22 researchers in the world awarded in three or more categories, and Professor Zhang, Professor Zhi and Professor Tan are among the 216 researchers in the world awarded in two categories. By College/School, the College of Engineering had the most scholars listed as Highly Cited Researchers 2024, with a total of 17 scholars.

CityUHK scholars are committed to addressing pressing global issues through innovative research. Nearly 210 CityUHK scholars were listed among the “World’s Top 2% Most-cited Scientists”, making CityUHK first in Hong Kong in the proportion of top scientists relative to the total number of faculty. Furthermore, 32 outstanding scholars received funding from the National Natural Science Foundation of China for 2024, and CityUHK topped local institutions for the 8th consecutive year in the prestigious Top 100 Worldwide Universities Granted US Utility Patents.

To attract top global scholars, CityUHK launched the Distinguished Visiting Professors Scheme in 2023 and has so far invited about 50 renowned scholars from prestigious institutions to visit CityUHK to collaborate with faculty and students to advance interdisciplinary scientific and academic research, further expanding CityUHK's academic research network and global academic talent pool. 

The full list of the Highly Cited Researchers 2024 of CityUHK

(*Last updated on 6 January 2025)

Media enquiries: 
Vanessa Cheung, Communications and Institutional Research Office, CityUHK (Tel: 3442 5221 or 6408 7411)