The University of Manchester is proud to announce that three of its distinguished female scientists have been recognised in Research.com’s 2024 rankings of the top 100 Best Female Scientists in the UK. This achievement underscores the notable contributions and high impact of their academic work.
Three renowned scientists from the University of Manchester have earned positions in Research.com’s prestigious ranking of the top 100 Best Female Scientists in the UK for 2024. Each scientist has shown substantial academic contribution, marked by their impressive H-index scores, indicating both productivity and citation impact.
Emeritus Professor Deborah Symmons, specialising in Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Epidemiology, has achieved the 29th position. Her H-index score of 122 and 82,294 citations underscores the enduring influence of her research, even after her retirement in 2016. She expressed satisfaction, hoping her success encourages ongoing work in musculoskeletal epidemiology. “I retired and published my last paper in 2016. It is pleasing to find that the cumulative citation of my research leads to this high ranking and I hope that gives encouragement to those who are currently working in the field of musculoskeletal epidemiology,” Symmons remarked.
Dame Nancy Rothwell, Former President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Manchester, secured the 37th spot. Her contribution to Physiology is recognised through her 49,760 citations and an H-index of 119. Her academic and leadership roles have left a significant mark in the scientific community.
Helen Worthington attributed her success to teamwork and collaboration. “I have spent my career collaborating with, and supporting, many extremely talented female researchers, and I feel that my success has only been enhanced through these positive working relationships,” Worthington stated.
Worthington, co-leader of Cochrane Oral Health until 2020, developed a team renowned for methodologically rigorous systematic reviews informing international policy. She has also designed several NIHR-funded randomised controlled trials in dental primary care, impacting global understanding of effective oral health interventions and practices. “The reviews and trials I have collaborated on frequently challenged orthodox care and impacted on the global understanding of effective oral health interventions and practices,” Worthington added.
The analysis for this esteemed ranking by Research.com examined over 166,000 profiles spanning key scientific disciplines, focusing on the scholars’ H-index scores. The meticulous evaluation drew on extensive data from sources like OpenAlex and CrossRef, ensuring a comprehensive and credible assessment of each scientist’s impact.
The inclusion of these notable scientists in the top 100 UK rankings is a testament to the University of Manchester’s commitment to fostering world-class research and academic excellence. Such recognition not only honours their individual achievements but also inspires future generations of scientists.