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<p>This study critically examined the evaluative logic of ShanghaiRanking’s Global Ranking of Academic Subjects (GRAS) as applied to Tourism and Hospitality. It (1) investigated recent methodological changes, (2) assessed the performance trajectories of six leading programs from 2019 to 2024, and (3) explored refinements to better capture the field’s epistemological and developmental characteristics. Using publicly available data and ShanghaiRanking’s methodology, a comparative qualitative analysis reconstructed scores and evaluates shifts in ranking criteria over time. Findings revealed diverse performance patterns: Hong Kong Polytechnic University consistently leads with stable scores and a late surge; the University of Surrey shows steady growth securing second place; Sun Yat-sen University experiences fluctuating gains; the University of Central Florida shows stagnation; Griffith University declines gradually; and the University of Macau rises sharply from a lower base. The study identified six key challenges in GRAS’s evaluation system, stemming from (1) internal flaws in specific indicators and (2) deeper mismatches between generic evaluation frameworks and tourism’s disciplinary complexity. Key issues include indicator redundancy, narrow award criteria, citation bias, limited interdisciplinary coverage, and insufficient recognition of leadership, educational innovation, and societal impact. Recommendations are proposed to address these misalignments. By revealing the politics of knowledge embedded in ranking systems, this research encourages critical engagement with academic evaluation infrastructures and advocates for more inclusive, context-sensitive models to redefine excellence in tourism.</p>

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Reassessing Global Rankings: a critical review of ShanghaiRanking’s GRAS in Tourism and Hospitality

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年1月29日

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  • Shiyu Hedy Wu,
  • Ganghua Chen,
  • Zhenting Li,
  • Jigang Bao

摘要

This study critically examined the evaluative logic of ShanghaiRanking’s Global Ranking of Academic Subjects (GRAS) as applied to Tourism and Hospitality. It (1) investigated recent methodological changes, (2) assessed the performance trajectories of six leading programs from 2019 to 2024, and (3) explored refinements to better capture the field’s epistemological and developmental characteristics. Using publicly available data and ShanghaiRanking’s methodology, a comparative qualitative analysis reconstructed scores and evaluates shifts in ranking criteria over time. Findings revealed diverse performance patterns: Hong Kong Polytechnic University consistently leads with stable scores and a late surge; the University of Surrey shows steady growth securing second place; Sun Yat-sen University experiences fluctuating gains; the University of Central Florida shows stagnation; Griffith University declines gradually; and the University of Macau rises sharply from a lower base. The study identified six key challenges in GRAS’s evaluation system, stemming from (1) internal flaws in specific indicators and (2) deeper mismatches between generic evaluation frameworks and tourism’s disciplinary complexity. Key issues include indicator redundancy, narrow award criteria, citation bias, limited interdisciplinary coverage, and insufficient recognition of leadership, educational innovation, and societal impact. Recommendations are proposed to address these misalignments. By revealing the politics of knowledge embedded in ranking systems, this research encourages critical engagement with academic evaluation infrastructures and advocates for more inclusive, context-sensitive models to redefine excellence in tourism.