University of Manchester celebrates three female scientists’ inclusion in top 100 UK rankings

Deborah-Nancy-Helen
Deborah-Nancy-Helen
Three scientists from The University of Manchester have been recognised in Research.com’s rankings of the top 100 Best Female Scientists in the UK 2024.

The rankings are determined by scholars’ H-index, a metric evaluating productivity and citation impact, following examination of over 166,000 profiles across all key scientific disciplines.

Deborah Symmons , Emeritus Professor of Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Epidemiology at the University, placed 29 in this year’s list with a H-index score of 122 and 82,294 citations.


Deborah said of the recognition: "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."

Dame Nancy Rothwell , Emeritus Professor of Physiology and former President and Vice-Chancellor of The University of Manchester, placed 37 on the list with 49,760 citations and a H-index of 119.

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.


In 79 position in this year’s ranking is Helen Worthington , Emeritus Professor of Evidence Based Care, with a H-index of 105 and 46,311 citations.

Helen said of the achievement: "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. I jointly led Cochrane Oral Health until 2020, developing a team that continues to undertake methodologically rigorous systematic reviews that inform policy in areas of international policy.


"I have also been responsible for the design of several NIHR funded randomised controlled trials in dental primary care. 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."

This year’s ranking, the third instalment of the list to date, is based on data from a variety of sources including OpenAlex and CrossRef.