On 4 October 2023, Stanford University in the United States and Elsevier, a Dutch academic publishing company specialising in scientific, technical and medical content, published the 'Updated science-wide author databases of standardised citation indicators'. Unisa scholars are listed among the world's top 2% of scientists in 2023 for career-long and 2022-year impact in their respective fields. 

Professors Hossein Jafari, Adele Da Veiga and Godwell Nhamo

The publication states that citation metrics are widely used and misused. Therefore, they created a publicly available database of top-cited scientists that provides standardised information on citations, h-index, co-authorship adjusted hm-index, citations to papers in different authorship positions and a composite indicator (c-score). Separate data are shown for career-long and for single recent year impact. 

The metrics with and without self-citations and the ratio of citations to citing papers are given. According to the standard Science-Metrix classification, scientists are classified into 22 scientific fields and 174 sub-fields. Field- and subfield-specific percentiles are also provided for all scientists with at least five papers. Career-long data are updated to the end of 2022, and single recent year data pertain to citations received during calendar year 2022. 

The selection is based on the top 100,000 scientists by c-score (with and without self-citations) or a 2% or above percentile rank in the sub-field. This sixth version is based on the 1 October 2023 snapshot from Scopus, updated to the end of the citation year 2022. This work uses Scopus data provided by Elsevier through ICSR Lab. Calculations were performed using all Scopus author profiles as of 1 October 2023. 

Unisans exceeding the research bar

Professor in Applied Mathematics Hossein Jafari of Unisa's Department of Mathematical Sciences under the College of Science, Engineering and Technology (CSET) is listed among the world's top 2% scientists for career-long and 2022-year impact. Having been on the list since 2019, he remarks: "This is a significant achievement and recognition as it implies that my work and contributions are impactful. Such recognition can open doors to collaboration opportunities, research funding, and increased visibility, further enhancing my career and research endeavours." He adds: "It also signifies a level of expertise and influence that can enable me to contribute to advancing my field and addressing important global challenges."

Jafari's research foci broadly include mathematical modelling, simulation and computational science. He says that his research interests were motivated by his intellectual curiosity, the desire to solve complex problems, and the potential for real-world impact. He also explains that some common gaps he seeks to address through mathematical modelling include understanding complex phenomena, prediction and forecasting, and innovative technology design. Jafari continues: "I dedicate this achievement to Unisa, my CSET colleagues, family and hardworking students."

Elated to be on this year's impact list, Adele Da Veiga, an Associate Professor at CSET's School of Computing, notes that the achievement is a privilege, and it inspires her to continuously contribute to research, to keep learning and sharing her knowledge. According to Da Veiga, this milestone enables her to upskill herself and collaborate further in local and international research. "This further allows me to identify creative and innovative solutions to expand my knowledge through research, as well as to address societal issues, which is a lifelong journey," she states.

Speaking about her research interests in the ever-evolving world, Da Veiga points out that human behaviour poses risks to protecting information in cyberspace. She adds: "A strong information security culture (ISC) and information privacy culture (IPC) can help improve the protection of information." Therefore, in her research, ISC and IPC frameworks, models, approaches and validated assessment instruments were developed to help organisations and society foster a culture where information integrity, availability and confidentiality are preserved. "These were implemented successfully by industry in South Africa and globally to minimise the risk of human behaviour and to improve information protection," Da Veiga says.

Also in this year's impact list, Prof Godwell Nhamo, Exxaro Research Chair in Climate and Sustainability Transitions and Chief Researcher at Unisa's Institute for Corporate Citizenship under the College of Economic Management Sciences, adds: "Being considered among the world's top researchers and scientists is pleasing, and it reinforces confidence. This is a valuable achievement as it also speaks to the calibre of research conducted at Unisa." For Nhamo, this affirmation also brings value for money for various funders and opens possibilities for future funding and other research partnerships. 

Nhamo's global flagship research projects include the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) domestication and localisation, disaster risk reduction, and management focusing on climate change and the Covid-19 pandemic. From these projects emerged individual and joint world-class publications in several high-impact journals that placed both Nhamo and Unisa on the global map. The gaps identified from his work include the lack of Afro-centric research and documentation on climate-related disasters, particularly tropical cyclones, floods and tornadoes. Focusing on the localisation of SDGs, Nhamo argues that more must be done to inform policy and politicians about the Sustainable Development Agenda and how achieving it can change society's lives and assist in leaving no one behind.

Advising aspiring researchers, Nhamo says: "Do your best to identify your niche research area and be patient and remain focused. Also, join essential research groups and graduate into targeting high impact factor journals." He further urges: "Hard work and smart work pay. If institutional protocols require you to do the bare minimum in your research and publishing journey, always go beyond the call of duty and flourish."

Congratulating the esteemed scholars, Prof Thenjiwe Meyiwa, Unisa's Vice-Principal of Research, Postgraduate Studies, Innovation and Commercialisation, remarks: "Such International recognition for the quality and standard of our academics' research is a testament that Unisa is perceived as a critical role player on the global stage. Not only does this speak to Unisa's research agenda, but it also attracts top-notch scientists and students." Meyiwa concludes: "It also indicates that Unisa has come a long way as an exclusive distance education provider."

Click here to see the names of Unisa academics listed as the World's Top 2% of Scientists.

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* By Nancy Legodi, Acting Senior Journalist, Department of Institutional Advancement