Deakin University acknowledged as global leader in sport research and education

Deakin University has cemented its reputation as the world leader in sport research and education after being ranked #1 in the world for a second year in a row.

The University's School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences topped the 2022 Global Ranking of Sport Science Schools and Departments - marking the fourth year it has topped the list since 2016.

Noting that the University’s retention of its top position from last year demonstrates the school's sustained commitment to excellence, Deakin Vice-Chancellor, Professor Iain Martin advised “our hardworking researchers and educators within the School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences strive to exceed expectations and produce ground-breaking results in everything that they do

"Our staff and their support teams are to be congratulated for their passion and commitment, which is so clearly demonstrated by this result."

ShanghaiRanking's ranking reviews the performance of more than 300 universities with sport-related units.

Education providers are assessed on the number of papers published in the top 25% of journals worldwide and how often their work is cited, among other factors.

Head of School for the School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences Professor Brad Aisbett said Deakin's research was driven by the need to improve nutrition and physical activity for health and human performance.

From the elite sport precinct at the University's Waurn Ponds campus to the high-impact research produced by academics within the school's Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN) and the Centre for Sport Research (CSR), he said the University set the bar for sport-related research and management globally.

Aisbett advised “our focus is on developing world-class strategies to support good health and athletic achievement while giving our students the best footing to be the top of-their-field in what they do.

"Any student currently studying or considering studying within our School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences can do so safe in the knowledge they are learning from the world's best."

Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research and Alfred Deakin Professor Julie Owens said Deakin's strong research capability across our institutes, centres, schools and their community and health industry partnerships meant our academic researchers and key stakeholders actively shaped sport policy and research to lead the field.

Professor Owens stated “it is truly a fantastic achievement to again be ranked number one in the world for our sport science.

"Deakin has a hard-won reputation for being the best and we are proud to set the agenda for research and education occurring in this space.

Australia’s College of Sport and Exercise Science/Institute for Health and Sport (IHES) at Victoria University was acknowledged at seventh on the list while the School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science at Curtin University came 10th.

ShanghaiRanking's Global Ranking of Sport Science Schools and Departments 2022

1. Deakin University, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences/Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition

2. Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, Norway

3. University of Copenhagen, Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports/Institute of Sports Medicine, Denmark

4. Verona University, Sport, Mountains and Health Research Centre (Ce.Ri.S.M.)/Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Italy

5. Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences, Netherlands

6. Loughborough University, School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, United Kingdom

7. Victoria University, College of Sport and Exercise Science/IHES

8. Norwegian University of Science and Technology - NTNU, Department of Neuromedicine and Movement Science/Centre for Elite Sports Research (SenTIF), Norway

9. University of Southern Denmark, Department of Sport Sciences and Clinical Biomechanics, Denmark

10. Curtin University, School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science, Australia

ShanghaiRanking Consultancy is a fully independent organisation, dedicating to research on higher education intelligence and consultation. It has been the official publisher of the Academic Ranking of World Universities since 2009.

For the full list of the ranking, please visit www.shanghairanking.com/rankings/grsssd/2022