Highly Cited Researchers List Places Birmingham Scholars in Top 1% Worldwide

As one of the most prestigious research and educational institutions in the UK, the University of Birmingham proves its character internationally from time to time. It is globally renowned for its pioneering accomplishments in scientific, medical, and sustainability fields, thereby consistently enhancing its position in world rankings of scientific and medical institutions. 2025 marked 125 years since five from the university were recognised as global bestsellers among the world scientists' accomplishments of international value.

This honour is the highest recognition given by the Highly Cited Researchers list of 2025 of Clarivate, declaring researchers whose works rank within the top 1% of citations and 1% of influence throughout the world. Thus, being on this highest list means that the concerned professors rank approximately 1 in 1,000 in the global academic community, thereby reaffirming Birmingham's status in nurturing academic and medical research across the length and breadth of the UK and beyond. Five University of Birmingham researchers: Professors Iain Chapple, Gary Collins, Nick Loman, Richard Riley, and Yuli Shan, have contributed to oral health and systemic health, clinical medicine, microbial genomics, biostatistics, sustainable transitions, and so on. The combined contribution of these five academics is one of the reasons Birmingham today is regarded as a top UK university for science and an ever-growing hub for scholars seeking to enhance their global academic reputation.

Those listed here honour just a few whose contributions are undeniably great, and whose most-honoured works likely stand as 1 among 1000 in the research community of the world. The leaders of the institution stated that the awardees truly exemplified the continued impact of the institution on scholarship as it begins the celebrations for its 125th anniversary in 2025; hence, this news of their recognition was also viewed as a landmark event in the university's global positioning. Professor Rachel O'Reilly, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research), expressed her happiness that Birmingham's researchers found their name in this list. She said the award confirmed why distinguished academics were increasingly choosing Birmingham as a place to carry out research of the highest standard and further build their international academic reputation. In the process, it improved the stature of the university in international university rankings.

The five University of Birmingham researchers were recognized across a spectrum of fields, with Professor Iain Chapple recognized in Cross-Field for works that demonstrate the relevance of his research in oral, intestinal, and systemic health; Professor Gary Collins was recognized in Clinical Medicine and Social Sciences for his work on prediction models, predictive AI, and health research transparency; Professor Nick Loman was appointed in Biology and Biochemistry for his work on microbial genomics and infectious disease; Professor Richard Riley was recognized in the Social Sciences for biostatistics and healthcare methodology; and Professor Yuli Shan was recognized in Environment and Ecology for research on climate change and sustainable transitions. Thus, the University of Birmingham demonstrated strength across health and environmental sciences research.

David Pendlebury, Head of Research Analysis at Clarivate, asserted that the list honoured remarkable individuals who demonstrated integrity and far-reaching impact in their work. He goes on to argue that these scientists would play a major role in shaping academia, science, and technology worldwide. Therefore, Birmingham's contributions to UK academic and medical research came into sharper focus. Professor Wiebke Arlt, an Honorary Professor currently at Imperial College London, was also awarded the Cross-Field award. She led a large multidisciplinary group at Birmingham into studying the role of steroids in health and disease. Furthermore, one can see the consistency of Birmingham's international standing in the recognition in 2024 of Professors Collins, Loman, Riley, and Shan. Case studies with Professor Shan, included by Clarivate, mentioned how high citation counts helped him engage with governments and policymakers on climate action. Thereby, this is not merely an academic recognition; rather, it is practical when it comes to influencing policy and fostering collaborations.

The recognition of five University of Birmingham researchers as honorees on the list of Highly Cited Researchers 2025 was able to showcase absolutely why the institution is regarded by many as the top UK institution for science. In so doing, it has demonstrated the range of fields where Birmingham excels, from biostatistics and genomics to climate change and sustainable transitions. The achievement has cemented Birmingham's standing in world university rankings in sciences and medicine as the university celebrates 125 years.

Editor's Note

The University of Birmingham is celebrating a significant achievement during its 125th anniversary, with five of its researchers named to the prestigious Highly Cited Researchers 2025 list. This recognition underscores the University's deep commitment to academic excellence and pioneering projects across its disciplines, demonstrating its substantial and far-reaching scientific and medical influence globally. Remarkably, only one of every 1,000 researchers is counted globally in being on this list. Therefore, for Birmingham to have five academics on the board shows how far-reaching that institution's strength is across oral health, clinical medicine, microbial genomics, biostatistics, and sustainable transitions. This does not just represent recognition of individual brilliance; it is proof of a culture of research which continues to shape global scholarship. Equally important is the ultimate impact of this work. Professor Shan's statements on how his research benefits governments and policymakers indicated that Birmingham's influence transcends academia into real-world climate change and sustainability actions. This, in the perfect sense, points to a high-citation/high-relevance producer of knowledge from this university. The message has been sent out loud and clear. Birmingham does not maintain or lose its place in the world rankings of universities for science and medicine; it strengthens it. The university has demonstrated how collaborative global research can go hand in hand with academic integrity. All this would make building a great legacy on such momentum an important task, as Birmingham recruits the brightest minds and remains among the UK's top science universities.

Skoobuzz states that this recognition is therefore a monumental landmark that underlines Birmingham as an internationally significant university that is shaping future research and policy.

FAQs

Q1. Why are University of Birmingham researchers among the world’s most influential scientists?

Five academics from the University of Birmingham were named on Clarivate’s Highly Cited Researchers 2025 list, which recognises scholars whose work ranks in the top 1% worldwide for citations and influence.

Q2. What is the Highly Cited Researchers list?

The list, published annually by Clarivate, identifies around one in 1,000 researchers globally who have authored highly cited papers. These papers are ranked in the top 1% for their field and publication year.

Q3. Which University of Birmingham researchers were recognised in 2025?

Professors Iain Chapple, Gary Collins, Nick Loman, Richard Riley, and Yuli Shan were named. Their work spans oral and systemic health, clinical medicine, microbial genomics, biostatistics, and sustainable transitions.

Q4. What fields of research is the University of Birmingham known for?

The university is recognised for strengths in health and environmental sciences research, including oral health, clinical prediction models, infectious disease genomics, healthcare methodology, and climate change.

Q5. How is the University of Birmingham ranked globally?

By having five researchers included in the Highly Cited list, Birmingham confirmed its position in world university rankings in science and medicine, reinforcing its reputation as a top UK university for science.

Q6. What makes the University of Birmingham a top UK university for science?

Its researchers consistently publish highly cited papers, influence global scholarship, and contribute to practical solutions in healthcare, sustainability, and climate policy.

Q7. What did university leadership say about this achievement?

Professor Rachel O’Reilly, Pro‑Vice‑Chancellor (Research), said the recognition showed Birmingham’s growing appeal for leading scholars and strengthened its role in global university rankings.