Professor Claudia Maraston has been ranked as one of the world's best female scientists, and the top astrophysicist in the UK.
Claudia Maraston, Professor of Astrophysics at the University of Portsmouth’s Institute of Cosmology and Gravitation (ICG), has been ranked as one of the world’s best female scientists 2022.
The list, covering all areas of science from medical science through biology and chemistry, to physics and astrophysics, was compiled by Research.com, a leading academic platform for researchers. The ranking includes the top 1000 female scientists in the world and is based on the h-index of scientists, which is a metric based on the number of papers written and the number of times those papers have been cited. Professor Maraston was ranked at 490 in the world, 47 in the United Kingdom, and is the UK’s top astrophysicist in the ranking.
Role of rankings in a career of female scientist
Research.com Head of Content Imed Bouchrika has written that: “The aim of this ranking is to inspire female scholars, women considering an academic career, as well as decision-makers worldwide with the example of successful women in the scientific community.
We hope that it will contribute to providing more opportunities, visibility, and equal chances for women in science.
We are painfully aware that academic research is still a predominantly male profession, and we believe that female scientists deserve an equal chance to be represented and praised for their achievements.
This ranking for top female scientists in the world finally acknowledges the hard work of all the female scientists that chose to find opportunities amidst the barriers. Their passion to persevere is an inspiration to all the girls and women in science.
Key to success
Of her success, Professor Maraston said: “The key for a high standing in research is to come up with something new, a piece to the solution of the biggest puzzle that can be uniquely attributed to you. In modern times, it is also essential to contribute to large international collaborations, but in a visible and unique manner. I have worked hard for several years in order to attain these milestones and I am incredibly proud of them. As a young researcher, I would have not thought it could go this well, but I was certainly hoping to leave a sign, to become a name."
Ambition has no gender. I love to aim high and enjoy the journey through the conquest.
Professor Maraston is known for theoretical models for the expected energy emission and mass of galaxies including innovative prescriptions of stellar evolution, which raised strong interest and a vivid debate, and stimulated further work from international groups.
Other recognitions
This impressive achievement is Claudia’s latest accolade, having previously been ranked in the top 100 UK physicists, and in 2018, she was awarded the Eddington Medal for Astronomy by the Royal Astronomical Society for ‘investigations of outstanding merit in theoretical astrophysics’. Previous recipients of this award include Stephen Hawking and Roger Penrose, and Claudia was only the second female scientist to receive the award since it was first awarded in 1953.