The UC Davis Department of Communication rose to #13 among its peers globally in 2024, ranking 11 spots higher than just a year ago. Among U.S. institutions, the department ranks #9.
The ShanghaiRanking’s Global Ranking of Academic Subjects ranks academic programs each year with an emphasis on research publications and impact in their fields. This year’s rankings, released in November, recognize UC Davis faculty’s outsized impact compared to much larger departments.
“Even though we are small faculty, we are very active in publishing, and almost half of us have served or are currently serving as editors at top-tier flagship journals in our field,” said Bo Feng, professor and chair of the Department of Communication in the College of Letters and Science.
Outsized impact in research and service in the field of communication
ShanghaiRanking emphasizes research published in top-tier journals. This year’s rankings reflect this growing strength in the Department of Communication. Faculty research pushes the boundaries of the field but also addresses pressing societal issues, from public health to political polarization and the impacts of digital media.
“This year’s ranking marks a significant advancement from 2023, reflecting the department's unwavering commitment to academic excellence and impactful research,” said Richard Huskey, an associate professor in the department. “This improvement underscores the department's growing influence and leadership in the field of communication.”
The Department of Communication at UC Davis is much smaller than its peers with similar rankings. The UC Santa Barbara Department of Communication, ranked #12, has about 25 faculty. The University of Michigan Department of Communication and Media, ranked #15, has about 20 faculty.
At UC Davis, the 15 total senate faculty, including 13 research faculty and two teaching faculty, teach roughly 800 undergraduate majors, 200 undergraduate minors and about 30 graduate students.
Feng said that part of their success in terms of research has to do with the majority of faculty being mid-career, meaning their research programs are well-established and accelerating. Feng joined UC Davis in 2006, and this fall began her second year as department chair.
“The pre-tenure years can be pretty stressful, as you are still in the process of building your research program and adjusting to many demands and challenges,” said Feng. “After that, things really start to pick up. Our faculty are incredibly productive and committed, consistently leading the field with their innovative research and contributions.”
Building on a strong foundation for the future
Right now, the Department of Communication faculty are working on a strategic plan. This process follows the recently announced Letters and Science strategic plan, Greater Together for the Greater Good.
A key area of growth for the department is expanding its faculty. Feng noted the significant opportunity to enhance the department’s existing research strengths while also addressing emerging trends, such as the evolving impact of artificial intelligence, digital communication and technological innovations on society and human interaction.
A future possibility for instruction is to offer a Bachelor of Science degree in addition to its current Bachelor of Arts degree. This additional undergraduate degree would reflect the STEM-focus of the department’s quantitative social science research.
The faculty are also exploring the potential for an online Master’s degree, adding to the M.A. degree it currently offers in addition to the Ph.D. The department graduated its first Ph.D. cohort in 2015. About half have gone on to faculty positions, and the other half to high-level jobs in industry, including at Fortune 500 companies and government.
Mentoring graduate students has long been a main focus in the department, said Feng, and she believes this has also helped to elevate the department’s recognition and impact. For nearly a decade she has been publishing almost exclusively with graduate students she advises as well as students advised by department colleagues.
“We encourage students to work with multiple faculty members on different projects and to acquire different research skills,” said Feng. “This cultivates a climate of collaboration within the department and also enhances productivity.”
Read the announcement at the Department of Communication website.
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