ATLAS
ATLAS sources the full field, scores each candidate against the institution, and returns a shortlist suited to it. It is our proprietary intelligence platform, and the basis of every figure we put in front of a client.
ATLAS holds the open scholarly record: papers, citations, affiliations, and co-authorships, processed into one consistent impact scale. Every institution and every candidate is read on that scale, so figures can be compared and added up.
ATLAS is our proprietary platform. We do not sell or license it; institutions receive its findings in the documents of an engagement.
How ATLAS Works
- 1
It sources
Every research-active scholar in the field, worldwide
The search starts from the whole scholarly record. No researcher is named until identity is confirmed from the works record.
- 2
It scores
Each candidate against the institution
Research impact, the projected effect on the institution's ranking measures, and the career facts that bear on a move. Nothing is inferred from a name or origin.
- 3
It returns
A shortlist suited to the institution
We review the scored list, verify each candidate, and draw a shortlist of no more than 25.
What ATLAS Holds
ATLAS is built on the open scholarly record and maintained by White Matter. It is the same evidence base for every mandate, in every region.
- 327.7 million
- Scholarly works read
- 252
- Subfields compared
- 186,253
- Researcher records at 215 Gulf institutions
- 25
- Candidates at most on any shortlist
Source: the open scholarly record (OpenAlex), processed in ATLAS.
What it reads
Papers, citations, affiliations and co-authorships for every research-active scholar, worldwide.
What it measures
Research impact, the expected effect of an appointment on the institution, and the career facts that bear on a move.
What it returns
A scored long list, a shortlist of up to 25, and a dossier for each candidate, with every figure sourced.
How it is held to account
Every projection is dated and stored, then checked against the published outcome. We test the estimates against published ranking tables before we use them.
Evidence and Judgement
What an Estimate Looks Like
Each candidate's projected effect is shown with its interval. A committee can see at once which effects are large and settled, which are small, and which point the other way.
Exhibit 1· Illustrative
Projected change in citation impact for three shortlisted profiles, 2026 ranking edition, papers 2020 to 2024
Source: Illustrative figures in the ATLAS format, not an ATLAS run. Profiles are anonymous.
Note: Ranges are 80% intervals. Impact values are on the ATLAS scale (world average 1.0).
Questions About ATLAS
Can an institution buy or license ATLAS?
No. ATLAS is for White Matter's own use. Institutions receive its findings in the documents of an engagement: briefs, dossiers, reports and the prediction ledger.
What data does ATLAS use?
The open scholarly record (OpenAlex): published papers, citations, affiliations and co-authorships. Retracted works are excluded.
How are candidates scored?
Each candidate is scored on research impact, the expected effect on the institution, and the career facts that bear on a move. The weights and models are proprietary.
How reliable are the estimates?
We test ATLAS's estimates against published outcomes. Each estimate is shown with its likely range, so a committee can see how certain it is.
How are scholars approached?
In confidence, by a senior member of the team. Mobility is read from affiliations and co-authorships; nothing is inferred from a person’s name or origin, and no one is named to an institution until identity is confirmed.
Explore More
See ATLAS at Work in Faculty Search
Visit page: See ATLAS at Work in Faculty Search