Computer scientist and mathematician Professor Mike Thelwall has been named the number one expert in the field of ‘informetrics’. This is the science of measuring information to assess the importance of a set of documents, and Mike specialises in the newest area – measuring the value of web pages.

 

Mike, a Professor of Information Science at the School of Computing and Information Technology, was ranked number one in a list of top publishing authors in the international Journal of Informetrics. Two of his colleagues were also included in the list - Dr David Wilkinson was ranked joint 18th and Dr Gareth Harries was listed at joint 21st.

 

Mike is Head of the University’s Cybermetrics Research Group, which measures the value of online research information to help make sure that researchers are communicating with each other properly. The group is currently researching how jokes spread online around the world to see if there are differences in the sense of humour of different nations and cultures.

 

Mike, 43, of Penn, Wolverhampton, said: “It is wonderful to be at the top of a list of researchers in my area - I've been in previous similar lists before but this is the first time as number one. It is especially satisfying recognition for the School of Computing and IT and the University of Wolverhampton as a place that produces research of the very best international standards."

 

Last year, Professor Thelwall was named third most influential British researcher of all time in information science and librarianship, in the influential Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology.

For media inquiries, contact Vickie Woodward in the Press Office on 01902 322736 or 07973 335112.

 

Ref: 4126/12/2/08/VW

Date Issued: Tuesday, 12 February 2008