Professors Aparna Shankar, Paweł Atroszko and Rajeev K. Goel have been recognised for their research impact.
Oct 20: In a significant academic milestone, three faculty members from FLAME University, a pioneer in interdisciplinary education in India, have been recognised in the Stanford–Elsevier Top 2% Scientists List, released in October 2026. Professors Aparna Shankar, Paweł Atroszko and Rajeev K. Goel feature in the latest edition, reflecting the research contributions and academic influence of FLAME University faculty across disciplines.
The Stanford–Elsevier database, developed using Elsevier's Scopus citation data, identifies influential researchers across scientific disciplines. Rather than relying solely on publication volumes, the ranking considers multiple indicators, including research citations, authorship contributions and relative performance within scientific subfields.
Professor Aparna Shankar, whose primary research classification in the database is Public Health, has contributed to scholarship examining the relationship between social connections, ageing, health behaviours and well-being. Her inclusion reflects the citation impact of research that engages with crucial questions around health and well-being, particularly as societies navigate changing demographics and healthcare needs.
Professor Paweł Atroszko’s inclusion is notable in the context of psychology-related research in India. He is among nine researchers affiliated with institutions in the country who appear under a psychology-related field or subfield in this edition. His research spans behavioural addictions, work addiction, burnout, and psychological well-being. Classified under Psychiatry and Social Psychology, his recognition highlights global academic interest in the psychological dimensions of work, education, and mental health.
Dr. Rajeev K. Goel, Chair Professor and Head of the Department of Economics at FLAME University, has also been ranked among the world’s top 2% of scientists. His inclusion in the August 2026 data update of the science-wide author databases of standardised citation indicators, compiled by John P. A. Ioannidis and hosted on the Elsevier Data Repository, recognises his research standing within the global academic community.
The recognition comes as FLAME University continues to nurture an academic environment where faculty research and teaching inform one another. As an institution grounded in the philosophy of interdisciplinary learning, it encourages faculty members to think critically and explore complex questions, engage with wider academic conversations and contribute to evolving knowledge across disciplines.
The Stanford–Elsevier database is updated annually and includes separate assessments of career-long and single-year citation impact. Its indicators provide a standardised measure of research influence across scientific fields, accounting for differences in citation patterns and authorship contributions.
The inclusion of Professors Aparna Shankar, Rajeev K. Goel and Paweł Atroszko in the latest edition is a testament to FLAME University’s broader endeavour to cultivate a thriving research culture, alongside its distinctive approach to interdisciplinary learning.
