Rankings providers push back on university criticism

European University Association hits out at “commercial interests” but rankers say their lists have value

Providers of university rankings have defended their work following criticism from a group representing some of the biggest institutions on their lists.

Last week the European University Association, which speaks on behalf of over 800 universities, published a critique of rankings, amid growing disquiet in the R&D sector over the use of quantitative proxies for academic quality. Such concerns have been reflected in initiatives including the reform push led by Europe’s Coalition on Advancing Research Assessment, which involves signatories pledging to avoid using rankings to assess researchers.