[ieee8023]

You can browse collections and then order by seeders. Here are some collections I think should be mirrored:

http://academictorrents.com/collection/deep-learning?sort_fi...

http://academictorrents.com/collection/medical?sort_field=se...

http://academictorrents.com/collection/joes-recommended-mirr...

[voltagex_]

I'm assuming those globe icons means there's a web seed (HTTP server) involved? If so, I'd prioritise the ones that don't have that backing.

[ieee8023]

Yes. But webseeds also go away over time when a department shuts down a server or a student account expires.