UC Davis Department of Communication Achieves Top 15 Global Ranking

The University of California, Davis, is proud to announce that its Department of Communication has ascended to the 13th position globally in the 2024 ShanghaiRanking's Global Ranking of Academic Subjects. This marks a significant advancement from the 24th position in 2023, reflecting the department's unwavering commitment to academic excellence and impactful research. In the United States, the department now ranks 9th among 79 institutions, up from 16th last year. This improvement underscores the department's growing influence and leadership in the field of communication.

The 2024 rankings place a high emphasis on publishing in top-tier journals in the field, including Communication Research, Communication Theory, Human Communication Research, Journal of Communication, and New Media & Society. In addition to regularly publishing in these high-impact outlets, faculty in the Department of Communication at UC Davis play prominent editorial roles in these and other leading communication journals, contributing significantly to the department’s recognition. Associate Professor Richard Huskey currently serves as Associate Editor for the Journal of Communication, while Professors Bo Feng and Magdalena Wojcieszak recently completed terms as editors for Human Communication Research and the Journal of Communication, respectively. Additional faculty editorships include Cuihua (Cindy) Shen as Associate Editor for Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication and Computational Communication Research, Jaeho Cho for Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, Magdalena Wojcieszak for Political Communication, and Drew Cingel for Media Psychology. These editorial contributions reflect the department’s engagement in advancing scholarly discourse and are integral to its high standing in the rankings.

The ShanghaiRanking methodology also emphasizes research published in first-quartile communication journals, where UC Davis faculty consistently lead the way. Faculty research spans diverse, cutting-edge topics, including computer mediated communication, computational social science, computational modeling of communication dynamics, health communication interventions, media psychology, political communication, and the neurophysiology of communication. These contributions not only push the boundaries of the field but also address pressing societal issues, from public health to political polarization and the impacts of digital media. By generating impactful, interdisciplinary scholarship, the department exemplifies leadership in advancing communication research.

In addition to journal editorships, and impactful research, faculty leadership in the International Communication Association further enhances the department’s global reputation and ShanghaiRanking score. Several faculty members hold prominent positions within ICA, demonstrating their commitment to shaping the field on a global stage and fostering an engaged academic community.

The Department of Communication at UC Davis delivers an innovative and cutting-edge curriculum that bridges deep theoretical insights with real-world applications, empowering students to lead and shape the rapidly evolving communication landscape. Faculty research tackles some of the most pressing issues of our time—advancing knowledge that drives societal change and fosters progress. Since graduating its first PhD cohort in 2015, the department has established a stellar track record of placing its graduates in top-tier research institutions, influential roles in Fortune 500 companies, and pivotal government positions, showcasing its commitment to cultivating the next generation of leaders and changemakers in communication.

Visit the ShanghaiRanking website to explore the full 2024 rankings by academic subject and learn more about their methodology. The 2024 rankings by academic subject were released on November 11, 2024.