Seven Rutgers School of Social Work Faculty Recognized in 2026 Global Scientist Rankings

Seven faculty members at Rutgers School of Social Work have been recognized in the latest edition of the Stanford/Elsevier database of the world’s most-cited scientists, highlighting the reach and influence of their scholarship across social work and related disciplines.

The faculty members included in the 2026 update of the Top 2% Scientist Rankings are Drs. Edward Alessi, Victoria Banyard, Stephen Crystal, Chien-Chung Huang, Emily A. Greenfield, Sarah McMahon, and N. Andrew Peterson. The latest database update was published by Elsevier on October 7, 2026, and reflects citation data through the end of 2025.

This recognition underscores the School’s longstanding commitment to research that advances knowledge, informs policy and practice, and addresses complex social challenges. Together, these scholars represent a breadth of expertise that includes violence prevention, health and behavioral health, aging, community well-being, and the development of evidence-based approaches to improving lives.

The Stanford/Elsevier database, “Updated science-wide author databases of standardized citation indicators,” provides a comprehensive assessment of research impact across scientific disciplines. It incorporates multiple bibliometric measures, including citation counts, the h-index, co-authorship-adjusted indicators, and a composite citation-based score. The database includes career-long measures as well as indicators based on citations received during the most recent year evaluated.

“Having seven faculty members recognized in this global database speaks to the depth, rigor, and reach of the scholarship taking place at Rutgers School of Social Work,” said Dr. Huang, Associate Dean for Faculty Development and Professor, who was also included in the list. “Our faculty are producing research that not only contributes to academic conversations but also helps us better understand the challenges individuals, families, and communities face. That work is essential to strengthening social work practice, informing policy, and identifying meaningful ways to improve well-being.”

Dr. Huang added, “What makes this recognition particularly meaningful is the connection between scholarly excellence and our School’s mission. Research has the greatest impact when it advances knowledge and helps translate that knowledge into action. Our faculty bring that commitment to their work every day, building evidence that can inform decisions, strengthen services, and support more effective responses to pressing social issues.”

The seven faculty members bring distinct perspectives and areas of expertise to this collective achievement:

• Professor Edward Alessi, whose research and scholarly interests include the use of community-based, mixed, and qualitative research methods to understand stress and trauma among LGBTQ+ individuals
• Distinguished Professor Victoria Banyard, whose scholarship focuses on violence prevention, trauma, resilience, and strategies to promote safety and well-being
• Distinguished Research Professor Stephen Crystal, whose research addresses health services, behavioral health, health policy, and the needs of vulnerable populations
• Associate Dean for Faculty Development & Professor Chien-Chung Huang, whose work examines social welfare policy and well-being, and the development of evidence-based intervention on improving lives.
• Professor & Director of the Hub for Aging Collaboration Emily A. Greenfield, whose research and scholarly interests include aging, community practice, life course human development, health equity.
• Professor and Director of the Center for Research on Ending Violence Sarah McMahon, whose scholarship focuses on violence prevention, gender-based violence, and social work education
• Distinguished Professor and Director of the Center for Prevention Science N. Andrew Peterson, whose research interests include community organizing, substance misuse prevention, program evaluation, and sociopolitical development

Their inclusion reflects the broad reach of research at Rutgers School of Social Work, where faculty investigate pressing social issues through diverse methodologies and interdisciplinary collaborations. From examining the conditions that shape individual and family well-being to evaluating programs and identifying effective prevention strategies, their work contributes to a stronger evidence base for social work and related fields.

The rankings also offer an opportunity to recognize the importance of sustained scholarly engagement and collaboration. Research impact is built over time through the development of new knowledge, partnerships across disciplines, and the dissemination of findings that can inform future research, policy, and practice.