Dr Ruth Dixon and Professor Christopher Hood question the received wisdom of ranking universities

Ruth Dixon and Christopher Hood have written an article for The Oxford Magazine (issue 327) entitled Ranking for Success: a No-Brainer?, which asks the question: If you can rank Olympic sports teams and restaurants, why should there be such a fuss about doing so for university research?

It goes on to say, "Well, it depends on whether high-pressure rankings can truly distinguish the units being ranked – whether the underlying metrics are valid and reliable. It also depends on whether the rankees choose to respond to the rankings in ways that really bring benefits to society as a whole. The heretical view about rankings is that neither of those things can be taken for granted..."

You can read the full article by clicking here. (There are also similar articles on the same topic in this issue of The Oxford Magazine.)

Dr Ruth Dixon is Leverhulme Trust Postdoctoral Researcher.

Professor Christopher Hood is Gladstone Professor of Government, Fellow, All Souls College.