Ken Dodge ranks among top scholars worldwide in 2025 ScholarGPS rankings

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Kenneth Dodge, the William McDougall Distinguished Professor of Public Policy Studies at Duke University’s Sanford School of Public Policy, has been recognized as one of the world’s leading scholars in the 2025 ScholarGPS rankings. Dodge ranked No. 2 globally in child development and No. 4 worldwide in public policy, placing him among the most influential researchers in his fields.

ScholarGPS, a comprehensive scholarly analytics platform, evaluates more than 30 million scholars worldwide using quantitative measures of research productivity, impact, and quality. Dodge’s rankings place him in the top 0.05 percent of scholars globally, a designation known as a ScholarGPS Highly Ranked Scholar. 

Dodge holds appointments in the Sanford School of Public Policy and in Duke’s Department of Psychology and Neuroscience. His research has shaped understanding of child development, aggression, and violence prevention, with a strong focus on translating evidence into policies and programs that improve outcomes for children and families. He is the founding and past director of Duke’s Center for Child and Family Policy and the founder of Family Connects International, an evidence-based program that supports families with newborns through nurse home visiting. Dodge has published more than 600 scientific articles which have been cited more than 180,000 times.

“Ken Dodge’s work exemplifies how rigorous scholarship can directly inform public policy and improve lives,” said Anna Gassman-Pines, senior associate dean for faculty affairs at Sanford. “His global recognition reflects decades of research that has advanced our understanding of child development while helping policymakers design more effective supports for children and families.”

The ScholarGPS rankings recognize lifetime scholarly achievement as well as recent research impact across fields, disciplines, and specialized areas of expertise. Dodge’s top rankings in both child development and public policy underscore the breadth and influence of his work across academic and policy communities.