Head of Kingston Business School named among World's most influential researchers

Kingston University's Head of Business School, Professor Sankar Sivarajah, has been recognised as one of the world’s most influential researchers, securing a place in Clarivate’s prestigious 2025 Highly Cited Researchers list. The annual ranking identifies just 1 in 1,000 of the world’s scientists and social scientists whose work has had exceptional impact, measured by citations and influence. This year, only 570 UK academics were included among 6,868 individuals worldwide.

Professor Sivarajah joined Kingston University in September 2024 as Professor of Technology Management and Circular Economy and Head of School. He makes his debut on the list in the cross-field category, which spans business and economics alongside computer and information science. Researchers are selected for authoring multiple papers in the top 1% by citations over the past 11 years. Further evaluation uses quantitative metrics, qualitative analysis and expert judgement to identify individuals whose work has had a genuine, global influence on their fields.

A global research impact

Professor Sivarajah’s work has consistently appeared in leading international journals, including the Journal of Business Research, Government Information Quarterly, Technological Forecasting and Social Change and the British Journal of Management.

Since 2014, Professor Sivarajah’s research has focused on the evaluation and application of emerging digital technologies such as AI and blockchain, big data and social media analytics to support businesses and public sector organisations and to advance the circular economy.

Reflecting on the impact of his work, Professor Sivarajah said he was grateful to have led and worked with outstanding scholars on research that has delivered clear UK and global impact. “My research has shaped how businesses, governments, organisations and policymakers use data, digital technologies and analytics responsibly and effectively," Professor Sivarajah said. "The work on e-participation, particularly in the context of participatory budgeting, has helped advance thinking on digital government and citizen engagement,” he said.

Thought leadership articles grounded in research have addressed societal challenges such as AI-powered drones and precision farming, consumer behaviour and reduction of waste for a circular economy have featured in influential media outlets and think tanks such as The World Economic Forum and The Conversation.

More recent contributions on AI ethics have supported global debates on trustworthy AI, helping policymakers and organisations balance innovation with transparency, fairness and accountability. Professor Sivarajah's collaborative research on the impact of legacy systems on digital transformation in European public administration was recently referenced in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) report Governing with AI.

Driving the Business School’s ambition

Professor Sivarajah emphasised that the recognition reflects Kingston Business School’s ambition and the wider impact of academic research. “Its strong policy and practitioner relevance supports our Knowledge Exchange Research Institute’s (KERI) priority areas and the Business School’s commitment to knowledge exchange with businesses, government, industry, and global partners, while helping attract research funding, doctoral students, and external collaborations,” he said.

Looking ahead

Professor Sivarajah's upcoming research will continue to examine high-impact areas at the intersection of AI and society, including combating misinformation in the generative AI era and the development of socially responsible AI ecosystems. He is currently involved in two EU-funded projects on 6G technology impact evaluation and AI innovation strategy.

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