Purpose:​ This study aims to construct new models and methods of academic genealogy research based on bibliometrics.

Design/methodology/approach:​ This study proposes an academic influence scale for academic genealogy, and introduces the w index for bibliometric scaling of the academic genealogy. We then construct a two-dimensional (academic fecundity versus academic influence) evaluation system of academic genealogy, and validate it on the academic genealogy of a famous Chinese geologist.

Findings:​ The two-dimensional evaluation system can characterize the development and evolution of the academic genealogy, compare the academic influences of different genealogies, and evaluate individuals’ contributions to the inheritance and evolution of the academic genealogy. Individual academic influence is mainly indicated by the w index (the improved h index), which overcomes the situation of repeated measurements and distortion of results in the academic genealogy.

Practical implications:​ The two-dimensional evaluation system for the academic genealogy can better demonstrate the reproduction and the academic inheritance ability of a genealogy.

Research limitations:​ It is not comprehensive to only use the w index to characterize academic influence. It should also include scholars’ academic awards and academic part-timers and so on. In future work, we will integrate scholars’ academic awards and academic part-timers into the w index for a comprehensive reflection of scholars’ individual academic influences.

Originality/value:​ This study constructs new models and methods of academic genealogy research based on bibliometrics, which improves the quantitative assessment of academic genealogy and enriches its research and evaluation methods