On January 20, 2020, College of Science and Engineering Associate Professor Tomoko Hasegawa visited Suzaku Campus to discuss her being named on the Highly Cited Researchers 2019 list with President of Ritsumeikan University, Yoshio Nakatani, Vice President Yoko Matsubara, and Dean of the College of Science and Engineering Shigeru Takayama.

‘Highly Cited Researchers’, released annually by The Web of Science Group, a Clarivate Analytics company, is a list which recognizes ‘the world's most influential researchers of the past decade, demonstrated by the production of multiple highly-cited papers that rank in the top 1% by citations for field and year in Web of Science.’<sup>*

*</sup> Web of Science Group, a Clarivate Analytics Company - Highly Cited Researchers 2019:
https://recognition.webofsciencegroup.com/awards/highly-cited/2019/

At the meeting, Associate Professor Hasegawa explained that she received this accolade for her research that used simulation models to ascertain and predict climate change issues and explored countermeasures therefor – saying that the biggest outcome of her work was showing the impact of global warming on hunger and food issues and demonstrating how to eliminate hunger without burdening the environment.

In her work, Associate Professor Hasegawa pointed out that, the possibility of hunger occurring in the world may paradoxically increase as a result of the implementation of global warming countermeasures, more so than if no measures were taken – an outcome which, she said, led to her recognition.

The discussion with President Nakatani, Vice President Matsubara, and Dean Takayama covered issues such as improving conditions for large-scale research projects by recruiting joint research partners and fostering young researchers.

Ritsumeikan University is currently implementing its Third Mid-Term Plan for Research Enhancement, which aims to achieve the following four goals with a view to becoming a global research university:

1) Bolster research infrastructure worthy of a ‘Distinctive Global Research University’
2) Foster young researchers and promote female researchers in graduate schools and research organizations
3) Create distinctive hubs of knowledge creation
4) Establish a research promotion framework


Associate Professor Tomoko Hasegawa’s Research Database Profile:
http://research-db.ritsumei.ac.jp/Profiles/146/0014600/prof_e.html

Highly Cited Researchers 2019: Associate Professor Tomoko Hasegawa Named
https://en.ritsumei.ac.jp/news/detail/?id=442