Branching Out: How Academic Genealogy Networks Shape Academic Groups

Abstract

Academic grouping and collaboration are fundamental to advancing scientific knowledge, as their composition directly influences productivity. However, accurately identifying the structure of these groups can be challenging because academics’ stated fields of study often do not align with their actual research output. While these discrepancies may seem minor, they can significantly impact an institution’s ability to make informed decisions, implement effective interventions, or provide appropriate incentives for the development of groups in emerging fields. Identifying these groups is essential for better assessing an institution’s performance and uncovering knowledge gaps. In this study, we employ an approach rooted in Network Science to analyse group composition, using an institution in Brazil as a case study. We further investigate the relationships between these groups and the academics’ research interests, examine the diversity of the groups in relation to their areas of expertise, and compare our findings with self-declared academic groups.