THE experts conduct ISR Masterclass: explaining, guiding, inspiring
On 9 December 2025, academics and analysts from across the EMEA region (Europe, Middle East, and Africa), including a representative from the International Collaboration Department at Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute, attended a masterclass on THE’s Interdisciplinary Science Rankings (ISR) 2026.
During the masterclass, experts from Times Higher Education Rankings (THE) unpacked the methodology behind the ISR, shared exclusive insights from the 2026 edition, and outlined how universities could participate in future ranking cycles. It offered an opportunity to ask questions, exchange insights, and contribute to shaping the global recognition of interdisciplinary excellence.
The agenda included the following items:
- What is ISR?
- ISR 2026 methodology
- ISR 2026 results and analysis
- How to participate
- Q&A
Sam Armenta Butt, Senior Data Scientist at THE, gave a presentation on the ISR 2026 methodology, ISR 2026 results and analysis while doing a “whistle-stop tour” of global participation in the ranking. In her presentation, Catherine Thomson, Data Delivery Manager – ISR Ranking & Institutional Data Governance, explained how universities could participate in future ranking cycles.
In particular, Sam Armenta Butt said that THE Data Team refined the methodology. Of 1,278 institutions, 1,082 provided data on research income dedicated to ISR, whereas 15% did not. As far as the best inputs in terms of industry funding are concerned, institutions from such countries as Japan, Turkey and Taiwan are currently leading in the ranking. Regarding the best outputs from the utility of ISR, Romania is performing particularly well in this metric.
Citing inclusion criteria, Catherine Thomson noted that universities should publish at least 100 ISR academic publications within the five-year window 2021 to 2025, have at least 50 academic and research staff in total across the applicable science subjects, as well as submit no more than two missing metrics, once the metrics have been calculated for the ranking. She added that THE Data Team included social sciences in the ranking this year. Introducing the ISR 2027 timeline, she announced that the ranking launch would take place in November 2026 and recommended universities to share this schedule with their researchers.
The masterclass concluded with a Q&A session. Catherine Thomson responded that there is no charge or associated fee for the participation in the ISR ranking. She also underlined that there is no changes to the ISR 2027 methodology, THE Team keeping it the same as for ISR 2026. Responding to another question, Sam Armenta Butt affirmed that geology is included in the ranking. Answering one of the final questions, Catherine Thomson confirmed that researchers would be able to nominate their own universities in the forthcoming survey.
For Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute, the session served as a roadmap for strengthening its positions in the global academic environment. Kyiv Polytechnic continues to encourage students to cultivate critical thinking across multiple subjects, enriching the specific areas of their degrees through a broader interdisciplinary approach.
