Two OU Researchers Ranked Among World’s Top Sociology Scholars

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NORMAN, Okla. – Two University of Oklahoma faculty in the Dodge Family College of Arts and Sciences (DFCAS) have been ranked by analytics site ScholarGPS as among the world’s most productive and impactful sociologists over the past five years.

Department of Sociology professors Samuel Perry and Meredith Worthen ranked first and 19th, respectively, in ScholarGPS’s most recent five-year evaluation of sociology scholars. OU is the only institution to feature multiple top-20 scholars in the discipline for the 2025 ranking, which represents the top 0.05 percent of sociologists.

This is Perry’s fourth consecutive year as ScholarGPS’s top sociology scholar. Worthen also ranked second among scholars in the research specialty of human sexuality, her third consecutive year among the top four.

“Dr. Perry and Dr. Worthen exemplify the best of what the Dodge Family College of Arts and Sciences stands for: rigorous scholarship with real-world impact,” said DFCAS Dean Michael Markham. “Their work deepens our understanding of society, faith, identity and belonging, and it reflects the kind of research that changes conversations and lives. We are proud to see their excellence recognized on the world stage.”

According to ScholarGPS, researchers are ranked using their number of publications, the number of citations they receive and their h-index score – a figure that represents research quantity and quality.

Perry is the Sam K. Viersen Presidential Professor of Sociology. His work focuses on religion and politics, with an emphasis on how American Christianity, politics and race relations interact. He said his research has helped show how beliefs of the country’s “Christian heritage” impact political views, but also how that impact varies depending on one’s race or ethnicity.

He said his four consecutive years as the top-ranked sociologist are meaningful to him because they highlight the impact his work is having on the field, which is “the goal of every scholar.”

“I'd like to think that my work is being cited a lot because other scholars agree that my co-authors and I have produced findings that are compelling and it's changing how they think about the intersection of American politics, religion, and race." Perry said.

Perry also finds spiritual meaning in his research: he said that seeking truth through his work is a core value of his Christianity.

“Even if the truth isn't particularly flattering for fellow Christians sometimes, my first priority is integrity and excellence,” Perry said. “I find that sacred responsibility extremely motivating.”

Perry is the author of Religion for Realists: Why We All Need the Scientific Study of Religion, which has earned the 2025 Distinguished Book Award from the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion.

Worthen’s research focuses on the diverse experiences of LGBTQ people. She has authored nearly 100 peer-reviewed publications and written multiple books on the subject.

She described this year’s rankings as a “testament to both my tenacity and commitment as well as the significance of rigorous empirical research in LGBTQ studies.” Worthen founded OU’s LGBTQ Research & Engagement Collective in 2023, which supports undergraduate and graduate students interested in the field.

“I work closely through my mentorship with graduate students to help them see the interconnected qualities of stigma,” she said.

Alongside her research, Worthen created The Welcoming Project in 2011, a nonprofit that encourages businesses, churches and other local spaces to help LGBTQ individuals feel supported.

 “As a mentor, I hope to inspire a new generation of scholars to push the boundaries even further, dig deeper into these areas and make waves of changes for the good,” Worthen said.