Citation Rankings
Highly Cited Researchers
Africa Social Sciences / Political Science and International Relations Highly Cited Researchers Citation Rankings 2025
The Citation Rankings (Highly Cited Researchers) highlight the most cited and influential researchers across a vast range of scientific fields, covering 197 main and sub-disciplines, including the Art and Humanities Citation Rankings and Social Sciences and Humanities Citation Rankings. This service, offered exclusively by AD Scientific Index, aims to provide a balanced perspective by excluding data from CERN and other statistical sources that disproportionately favor certain researchers, particularly in the social sciences and humanities. This unique approach addresses the advantages researchers with multi-author publications and CERN involvement hold over others. Furthermore, citation rankings help uncover rule violations and unethical practices within the research community. For more detailed citation analyses, explore the Scientists Last 6 Years Citation Index, Universities Total Citations Rankings 2025, and Universities Last 6 Years Citations Rankings 2025.
* Total Citation Counts Rankings
Ranking Based On Selection: 1
political economy
political ecology
geography
social movements
Citation Metrics
Total
Last 6 Years
Last 6 Years / Total
16,799
5,196
0.309
* Total Citation Counts Rankings
Ranking Based On Selection: 2
Sustainability
Wellbeing
Governance
Political Economy
Citation Metrics
Total
Last 6 Years
Last 6 Years / Total
7,998
5,728
0.716
* Total Citation Counts Rankings
Ranking Based On Selection: 3
Democratic Governance
Politics of Economic Development
Citation Metrics
Total
Last 6 Years
Last 6 Years / Total
7,275
2,035
0.280
* Total Citation Counts Rankings
Ranking Based On Selection: 4
Citation Metrics
Total
Last 6 Years
Last 6 Years / Total
5,879
3,262
0.555
* Total Citation Counts Rankings
Ranking Based On Selection: 5
political science
public policy
governance
leadership
Citation Metrics
Total
Last 6 Years
Last 6 Years / Total
4,619
1,763
0.382
* Total Citation Counts Rankings
Ranking Based On Selection: 6
Governance and political economy of development
Citation Metrics
Total
Last 6 Years
Last 6 Years / Total
4,597
1,775
0.386
* Total Citation Counts Rankings
Ranking Based On Selection: 7
Political Violence
Terrorism
Violent Extremism
Transnational Threats and Maritime Security
Citation Metrics
Total
Last 6 Years
Last 6 Years / Total
4,105
2,451
0.597
* Total Citation Counts Rankings
Ranking Based On Selection: 8
International relations
African Diplomacy and Foreign Policy
African Leadership
Citation Metrics
Total
Last 6 Years
Last 6 Years / Total
3,824
1,087
0.284
* Total Citation Counts Rankings
Ranking Based On Selection: 9
Comparative Politics
Security and Conflict Studies
Public Policy
Citation Metrics
Total
Last 6 Years
Last 6 Years / Total
3,467
1,369
0.395
* Total Citation Counts Rankings
Ranking Based On Selection: 10
South African politics
Gender politics
Public Opinion Analysis
Citation Metrics
Total
Last 6 Years
Last 6 Years / Total
3,375
1,280
0.379
* Total Citation Counts Rankings
Ranking Based On Selection: 11
comparative African democratisation
election studies
oil and environmental politics in the Niger Delta
identity politics
pea
Citation Metrics
Total
Last 6 Years
Last 6 Years / Total
3,114
1,456
0.468
* Total Citation Counts Rankings
Ranking Based On Selection: 12
Peace
conflict
defence
security
development
Citation Metrics
Total
Last 6 Years
Last 6 Years / Total
2,590
1,891
0.730
* Total Citation Counts Rankings
Ranking Based On Selection: 13
International relations
social theory
Citation Metrics
Total
Last 6 Years
Last 6 Years / Total
2,498
596
0.239
* Total Citation Counts Rankings
Ranking Based On Selection: 14
Religion
Politics
Postcolonial Literature
African Spirituality
African Culture
Citation Metrics
Total
Last 6 Years
Last 6 Years / Total
2,436
922
0.378
* Total Citation Counts Rankings
Ranking Based On Selection: 15
Participatory democracy and governance to address complex challenges
Citation Metrics
Total
Last 6 Years
Last 6 Years / Total
2,355
1,213
0.515
* Total Citation Counts Rankings
Ranking Based On Selection: 16
Politics of Technology
Global Media
Hate speech
China-Africa Relations
Citation Metrics
Total
Last 6 Years
Last 6 Years / Total
2,344
1,654
0.706
* Total Citation Counts Rankings
Ranking Based On Selection: 17
Comparative Politics
International Relations
Cultural Studies
International Financial Systems
South African Politics and Eco
Citation Metrics
Total
Last 6 Years
Last 6 Years / Total
2,332
620
0.266
* Total Citation Counts Rankings
Ranking Based On Selection: 18
International Relations
Deviant conduct by states
Ethno-Politics
Citation Metrics
Total
Last 6 Years
Last 6 Years / Total
2,216
568
0.256
* Total Citation Counts Rankings
Ranking Based On Selection: 19
Political Sociology
Citation Metrics
Total
Last 6 Years
Last 6 Years / Total
2,202
496
0.225
* Total Citation Counts Rankings
Ranking Based On Selection: 20
Natural Resource Governance
Political Ecology
Environmental Justice
Citation Metrics
Total
Last 6 Years
Last 6 Years / Total
2,175
1,115
0.513
* Total Citation Counts Rankings
Ranking Based On Selection: 21
Comparative librarianship
International librarianship
Political economy of information
Information policy
Citation Metrics
Total
Last 6 Years
Last 6 Years / Total
2,167
679
0.313
* Total Citation Counts Rankings
Ranking Based On Selection: 22
Liberal Political Ecology
Security Studies
Gender & Development
Citation Metrics
Total
Last 6 Years
Last 6 Years / Total
2,160
1,731
0.801
* Total Citation Counts Rankings
Ranking Based On Selection: 23
Politics
Security
Environment
Human Rights
Elections
Citation Metrics
Total
Last 6 Years
Last 6 Years / Total
2,137
774
0.362
* Total Citation Counts Rankings
Ranking Based On Selection: 24
qualitative research
democratic theory
politics of the body
Citation Metrics
Total
Last 6 Years
Last 6 Years / Total
2,025
1,118
0.552
* Total Citation Counts Rankings
Ranking Based On Selection: 25
Political Science - Development Politics
Comparative Politics
Citation Metrics
Total
Last 6 Years
Last 6 Years / Total
1,992
930
0.467
* Total Citation Counts Rankings
Rankings
51,354
165
10
Ranking Based On Selection: 1
Patrick Bond
University of Johannesburg
Johannesburg, South Africa
Citation Metrics
Total
Last 6 Years
Last 6 Years / Total
16,799
5,196
0.309
political economy
political ecology
geography
social movements
* Total Citation Counts Rankings
Rankings
126,697
473
40
Ranking Based On Selection: 2
Lorenzo Fioramonti
University of Pretoria
Pretoria, South Africa
Citation Metrics
Total
Last 6 Years
Last 6 Years / Total
7,998
5,728
0.716
Sustainability
Wellbeing
Governance
Political Economy
* Total Citation Counts Rankings
Rankings
140,494
36
11
Ranking Based On Selection: 3
E Gyimah-Boadi
University of Ghana
Legon, Ghana
Citation Metrics
Total
Last 6 Years
Last 6 Years / Total
7,275
2,035
0.280
Democratic Governance
Politics of Economic Development
* Total Citation Counts Rankings
Rankings
174,864
703
62
Ranking Based On Selection: 4
V Naidoo
University of Pretoria
Pretoria, South Africa
Citation Metrics
Total
Last 6 Years
Last 6 Years / Total
5,879
3,262
0.555
* Total Citation Counts Rankings
Rankings
220,988
71
28
Ranking Based On Selection: 5
Joseph Ra Ayee
University of Ghana
Legon, Ghana
Citation Metrics
Total
Last 6 Years
Last 6 Years / Total
4,619
1,763
0.382
political science
public policy
governance
leadership
* Total Citation Counts Rankings
Rankings
222,026
92
25
Ranking Based On Selection: 6
Karuti Kanyinga|Henry Karuti Kanyinga, HK Kanyinga, k karuti
University of Nairobi
Nairobi, Kenya
Citation Metrics
Total
Last 6 Years
Last 6 Years / Total
4,597
1,775
0.386
Governance and political economy of development
* Total Citation Counts Rankings
Rankings
246,478
230
16
Ranking Based On Selection: 7
Freedom C. Onuoha
University of Nigeria
Nsukka, Nigeria
Citation Metrics
Total
Last 6 Years
Last 6 Years / Total
4,105
2,451
0.597
Political Violence
Terrorism
Violent Extremism
Transnational Threats and Maritime Security
* Total Citation Counts Rankings
Rankings
262,647
1,125
74
Ranking Based On Selection: 8
Chris Landsberg
University of Johannesburg
Johannesburg, South Africa
Citation Metrics
Total
Last 6 Years
Last 6 Years / Total
3,824
1,087
0.284
International relations
African Diplomacy and Foreign Policy
African Leadership
* Total Citation Counts Rankings
Rankings
285,827
302
5
Ranking Based On Selection: 9
Augustine Ikelegbe
University of Benin
Benin City, Nigeria
Citation Metrics
Total
Last 6 Years
Last 6 Years / Total
3,467
1,369
0.395
Comparative Politics
Security and Conflict Studies
Public Policy
* Total Citation Counts Rankings
Rankings
292,517
1,284
172
Ranking Based On Selection: 10
Amanda Gouws
Stellenbosch University
Stellenbosch, South Africa
Citation Metrics
Total
Last 6 Years
Last 6 Years / Total
3,375
1,280
0.379
South African politics
Gender politics
Public Opinion Analysis
* Total Citation Counts Rankings
Rankings
312,945
359
3
Ranking Based On Selection: 11
J. Shola Omotola
Federal University Oye Ekiti Ekiti State
Oye-Ekiti, Nigeria
Citation Metrics
Total
Last 6 Years
Last 6 Years / Total
3,114
1,456
0.468
comparative African democratisation
election studies
oil and environmental politics in the Niger Delta
identity politics
pea
* Total Citation Counts Rankings
Rankings
363,291
508
1
Ranking Based On Selection: 12
Usman A. Tar
Citation Metrics
Total
Last 6 Years
Last 6 Years / Total
2,590
1,891
0.730
Peace
conflict
defence
security
development
* Total Citation Counts Rankings
Rankings
373,690
1,718
116
Ranking Based On Selection: 13
Peter Vale
University of Johannesburg
Johannesburg, South Africa
Citation Metrics
Total
Last 6 Years
Last 6 Years / Total
2,498
596
0.239
International relations
social theory
* Total Citation Counts Rankings
Rankings
380,930
1,759
171
Ranking Based On Selection: 14
Tinyiko Samuel Maluleke
University of Pretoria
Pretoria, South Africa
Citation Metrics
Total
Last 6 Years
Last 6 Years / Total
2,436
922
0.378
Religion
Politics
Postcolonial Literature
African Spirituality
African Culture
* Total Citation Counts Rankings
Rankings
390,808
1,815
49
Ranking Based On Selection: 15
Janet Mcintyre-Mills
University of South Africa
Pretoria, South Africa
Citation Metrics
Total
Last 6 Years
Last 6 Years / Total
2,355
1,213
0.515
Participatory democracy and governance to address complex challenges
* Total Citation Counts Rankings
Rankings
392,157
1,821
201
Ranking Based On Selection: 16
Iginio Gagliardone
University of the Witwatersrand
Johannesburg, South Africa
Citation Metrics
Total
Last 6 Years
Last 6 Years / Total
2,344
1,654
0.706
Politics of Technology
Global Media
Hate speech
China-Africa Relations
* Total Citation Counts Rankings
Rankings
393,782
1,833
356
Ranking Based On Selection: 17
Thomas Koelble
University of Cape Town
Cape Town, South Africa
Citation Metrics
Total
Last 6 Years
Last 6 Years / Total
2,332
620
0.266
Comparative Politics
International Relations
Cultural Studies
International Financial Systems
South African Politics and Eco
* Total Citation Counts Rankings
Rankings
408,862
1,916
132
Ranking Based On Selection: 18
Deon Geldenhuys
University of Johannesburg
Johannesburg, South Africa
Citation Metrics
Total
Last 6 Years
Last 6 Years / Total
2,216
568
0.256
International Relations
Deviant conduct by states
Ethno-Politics
* Total Citation Counts Rankings
Rankings
410,806
1,925
206
Ranking Based On Selection: 19
Rupert Taylor
University of the Witwatersrand
Johannesburg, South Africa
Citation Metrics
Total
Last 6 Years
Last 6 Years / Total
2,202
496
0.225
* Total Citation Counts Rankings
Rankings
414,437
115
1
Ranking Based On Selection: 20
Faustin Maganga
Citation Metrics
Total
Last 6 Years
Last 6 Years / Total
2,175
1,115
0.513
Natural Resource Governance
Political Ecology
Environmental Justice
* Total Citation Counts Rankings
Rankings
415,648
1,954
192
Ranking Based On Selection: 21
Peter J Lor
University of Pretoria
Pretoria, South Africa
Citation Metrics
Total
Last 6 Years
Last 6 Years / Total
2,167
679
0.313
Comparative librarianship
International librarianship
Political economy of information
Information policy
* Total Citation Counts Rankings
Rankings
416,537
666
3
Ranking Based On Selection: 22
Al Chukwuma Okoli
Citation Metrics
Total
Last 6 Years
Last 6 Years / Total
2,160
1,731
0.801
Liberal Political Ecology
Security Studies
Gender & Development
* Total Citation Counts Rankings
Rankings
419,923
681
61
Ranking Based On Selection: 23
Okechukwu Ibeanu
University of Nigeria
Nsukka, Nigeria
Citation Metrics
Total
Last 6 Years
Last 6 Years / Total
2,137
774
0.362
Politics
Security
Environment
Human Rights
Elections
* Total Citation Counts Rankings
Rankings
436,810
2,077
61
Ranking Based On Selection: 24
Louise Vincent
Rhodes University
Grahamstown, South Africa
Citation Metrics
Total
Last 6 Years
Last 6 Years / Total
2,025
1,118
0.552
qualitative research
democratic theory
politics of the body
* Total Citation Counts Rankings
Rankings
441,959
280
14
Ranking Based On Selection: 25
Fredrick Wanyama
Maseno University
Maseno, Kenya
Citation Metrics
Total
Last 6 Years
Last 6 Years / Total
1,992
930
0.467
Political Science - Development Politics
Comparative Politics