Crossing the 3,000-Citation Milestone on Google Scholar: When Collaboration Meets Momentum

Some people count sheep to fall asleep. I, apparently, count citations. And today, that little tally has rolled over to 3,000. If you had told me a few years ago that I'd go from 2,000 to 3,000 this quickly, I would have laughed and said, "Sure… right after I invent a time machine." Yet here we are... no time machine, just a growing body of work and an academic community generous enough to read, cite, and build upon it.

Of course, this milestone isn't just about a number. It's about the conversations, debates, and collaborations that gave those numbers meaning. Every citation is a small handshake across the academic world, a nod that says, "Hey, your work mattered to me." And that's the kind of momentum that makes the late nights, endless edits, and occasional existential research crises worth it.

Papers That Packed a Punch

Some papers just have that spark... the kind that takes off faster than you expect. One standout is The Manifesto for Teaching and Learning in a Time of Generative AI: A Critical Collective Stance to Better Navigate the Future, published just eight months ago in December 2024. Somehow, in less time than it takes for most people to finish a Netflix series backlog, it's already sitting at 75 citations. Not bad for a collaborative effort involving 47 authors from 41 institutions across 20 countries. If there was ever a "How to Write a Paper with a Global Brain Trust" guide, this would be Exhibit A.

Then there's my 2021 classic, Cooperative Learning in Computer Programming: A Quasi-Experimental Evaluation of Jigsaw Teaching Strategy with Novice Programmers. This one just hit 100 citations and has become my top paper, which feels like watching one of your older kids graduate and finally get a job. It's proof that even in a fast-moving research world, some ideas keep finding new relevance year after year.

Momentum, Collaboration, and a Dash of Humor

The first 1,000 citations took years. The second 1,000 came faster. And now, the third thousand seemed to arrive almost while I was making coffee. But behind this acceleration is not magic... it's the power of sustained collaboration, timely topics, and being willing to tackle questions that actually matter to people.

Research can sometimes feel solitary, but milestones like this remind me it's really a group sport. Co-authors, reviewers, readers, students, and even the occasional critic... you all helped shape the trajectory of my work. And if I've learned anything, it's this: take your research seriously, but don't take yourself too seriously. Science is a long game, and you need to enjoy the ride.

Open Invitation: Let's Work Together

If you've ever thought, "Hmm, I'd like to work on something fun, impactful, and maybe just a little unconventional," then consider this your official invitation. I'm always looking for collaborators—whether you're across the hall, across the country, or across the globe.

Here's how collaboration has shaped my work so far:

1. Solo Author – 29 papers | 842 citations (24%) | Avg: 29 citations/paper
2. First Author – 42 papers | 948 citations (35%) | Avg: 23 citations/paper
3. Co-Author – 18 papers | 466 citations (15%) | Avg: 26 citations/paper
4. Last Author – 31 papers | 744 citations (26%) | Avg: 24 citations/paper

In short: whether I'm leading the charge, teaming up as a co-pilot, or wrapping things up as the last author, collaboration has been central to hitting this milestone... and I'd be happy to add your name to the next project.

Onward to the Next Chapter

So, what's next? Well, I'm not setting my sights on "4,000 citations" just yet... mostly because I don't want to start refreshing Google Scholar every morning like it's a stock market app. The real goal is to keep producing work that has impact, sparks curiosity, and maybe even inspires someone else to start their own research journey.

If you'd like to explore the papers behind this milestone, you can find them here on my website or on my Google Scholar profile. And to everyone who's been part of this journey—whether you've cited my work, collaborated with me, or just read a paragraph before deciding it was "interesting but not for me"—thank you.

Here's to the next big idea, and to keeping the work meaningful, relevant, and just a little bit fun along the way.