The data, compiled and released by the ISC, is based on the Essential Science Indicators (ESI) database from Clarivate’s Web of Science. The ESI updates its prestigious list of Highly Cited Researchers every two months, using citation data from the past decade.

The “Highly Cited Researcher” distinction is a globally recognized indicator of scientific influence. Selection is based solely on the number of citations a researcher receives in their specific field, meaning those in the top 1% by citations are honored for the significant impact and peer recognition of their published work.

The ISC report highlights the breadth of Iran’s scientific expertise, identifying the highly-cited researchers across 22 distinct subject areas in the sciences and social sciences. The findings are the result of analyzing six consecutive bimonthly ESI lists, covering the period from November 2024 to September 2025.