On April 14, 2022, Elsevier released the 2021 list of "Highly Cited Chinese Researchers", which consists of 4,701 researchers from 523 universities, enterprises, and research institutes, and covers 10 disciplines and 84 first-level subjects. Prof. Wang Qingyuan is listed in the "Mechanics" category.

This list is based on Scopus, the global authoritative citation and index database, as the data source of Chinese researchers' achievements, to analyze the scientific performance of Chinese researchers, using the selection method designed by ShanghaiRanking Consultancy. The list is released for the eighth time and has gained high attention from a number of media and scholars at home and abroad. Since the release of the list for the first time, Prof. Wang Qingyuan has been on the list for eight consecutive years.

Prof. Wang Qingyuan is a recipient of the National Science Foundation for Distinguished Young Scholars and the National Natural Science Award, head of Innovative Team in the Innovative Teams Plan Supported by the Ministry of Education, winner of the honorary title of Tianfu Outstanding Scientist, and an Academic and Technical Leader in Sichuan Province. Now, he serves as Director of the MOE Key Laboratory of Deep Earth Science and Engineering, Executive Board Member of the Chinese Society of Mechanics, Executive Board Member of the China Education Association for International Exchange (CEAIE), Member of the Decision-making Advisory Committee of the CPC Sichuan Provincial Committee and the People's Government of Sichuan Province, Deputy Director of the Expert Committee of Sichuan Provincial Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese, etc. Prof. Wang Qingyuan has made great contributions to scientific research on new materials and structural mechanics, ultra-long life fatigue and reliability, experimental mechanics, composite box girder bridge with corrugated steel, construction waste recycling, and other areas. He has published more than 200 papers included in Web of Science, cited by others more than 3,000 times. He was on the list of the World's Top 2% Scientists 2020 and 2021 in the categories of “Career-long Impact” and “Impact of the Year”.