On the emotional economy of global university rankings: Opinion

Global university rankings have become emotionally-charged, media-driven spectacles, argues Riyad A Shahjahan (Michigan State University). Drawing on scholar Sara Ahmed’s concept of “sticky objects”—things that attract and hold attention by absorbing emotional investments—Shahjahan explains how rankings tap into pride, competition, and national identity. He highlights how commercial rankers, governments, and media outlets amplify these narratives through headlines, social media campaigns, and political messaging. To truly understand the power of global university rankings, Shahjahan concludes that “we must look beyond statistics and revenue models to the emotional and media infrastructures that sustain them.”