In the 2015 QS World University Rankings by Subject, Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) placed the BU Departments of Economics and Philosophy among the world’s top 40 programs within their disciplines. Both moved up in the rankings, with economics jumping 15 places.
The Department of Economics climbed to 32nd in 2015, from 47th in 2014, and the Department of Philosophy rose to 28th (up from 31st). The annual QS rankings, which “highlight the world’s top universities in a range of popular subject areas,” are based on a program’s academic reputation, student employability after graduation, and research citations.
When asked why he believes the economics program was ranked so highly, Department Chair Bart Lipman noted that the faculty consists of excellent economists in virtually all aspects of the field: macroeconomics, development economics, health economics, labor, industrial organization, economic history, economic theory. He also pointed out that the QS rankings define his discipline as “economics and econometrics,” and noted that econometrics is one of the Department’s major strengths.
Though he “doesn’t want to make too much of a ranking,” Lipman admits, “Getting ranked well is fun! It’s nice to see the recognition of the outstanding group of teachers and researchers here at BU.”
Allen Speight, chair of the Department of Philosophy, had a similar response to Lipman’s. “As philosophers we are often skeptical about things like rankings,” he explains, “but it’s nice to be recognized in this context for some of our strengths.”
Speight also noted that despite being a small department, their faculty has been impressively productive in both research and teaching. He is especially proud of the philosophy program’s strong pluralist commitment, and also noted the department’s strengths in the areas of logic, epistemology, the philosophy of science, the history of philosophy, ethics, social and political philosophy, and the philosophy of law.
You can view the full QS rankings here.