TY - CHAP

T1 - How Rankings Impact Academic Freedom and Institutional Autonomy

AU - Bohlens, Christopher

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2026 by IGI Global Scientific Publishing. All rights reserved.

PY - 2025/1/1

Y1 - 2025/1/1

N2 - This chapter examines how global university rankings impact academic freedom and institutional autonomy in higher education. Despite their growing influence, rankings create tensions with core academic values through their methodology, which emphasizes research output over teaching quality and neglects academic freedom measures. The analysis reveals how the pursuit of higher rankings affects research priorities, teaching practices, and administrative decision- making across different regions and institutional contexts. Rankings often promote a homogenized model of excellence that can lead to mission drift and convergence of institutional identities. While established universities in resource- rich environments may better withstand ranking pressures, institutions in the Global South face particular challenges in balancing international metrics with local needs. The chapter concludes with actionable recommendations for universities, ranking organizations, and policymakers to preserve academic values while engaging with global comparisons.

AB - This chapter examines how global university rankings impact academic freedom and institutional autonomy in higher education. Despite their growing influence, rankings create tensions with core academic values through their methodology, which emphasizes research output over teaching quality and neglects academic freedom measures. The analysis reveals how the pursuit of higher rankings affects research priorities, teaching practices, and administrative decision- making across different regions and institutional contexts. Rankings often promote a homogenized model of excellence that can lead to mission drift and convergence of institutional identities. While established universities in resource- rich environments may better withstand ranking pressures, institutions in the Global South face particular challenges in balancing international metrics with local needs. The chapter concludes with actionable recommendations for universities, ranking organizations, and policymakers to preserve academic values while engaging with global comparisons.

KW - Higher Education and Science Management

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=105025185937&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.4018/979-8-3373-7518-2.ch006

DO - 10.4018/979-8-3373-7518-2.ch006

M3 - Chapter

AN - SCOPUS:105025185937

SN - 9798337375182

SP - 135

EP - 167

BT - Influence of University Rankings on Institutions

A2 - Kayyali, Mustafa

PB - IGI Global Publishing

ER -