Knowledge, networks and nations
Global scientific collaboration in the 21st century
Cover photo: Strain in graphene opens up a pseudomagnetic gap. Generated by the Condensed Matter Physics Group at the University of Manchester, this image is a representation of the work at Manchester lead by Professor Andre Geim FRS, a Royal Society Research Professor, and Professor Konstantin Novoselov, a Royal Society University Research Fellow. Professors Geim and Novoselov were awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics in 2010 for their groundbreaking experiments regarding graphene, a form of carbon, which is the thinnest and strongest material ever isolated. Both men have been cited since their award as ‘global scientists’; both were born and studied in Russia, spent time in the Netherlands, and are now based here in the UK, attracting funding and accolades from UK, European, and international sources. © Paco Guinea 2010.
Knowledge, Networks and Nations: Global scientific collaboration in the 21st century
RS Policy document 03/11Issued: March 2011 DES2096ISBN: 978-0-85403-890-9© The Royal Society, 2011Requests to reproduce all or part of this document should be submitted to:The Royal Society6–9 Carlton House TerraceLondon SW1Y 5AGT +44 (0)20 7451 2500F +44 (0)20 7930 2170E science.policy@royalsociety.orgW royalsociety.org
Knowledge, networks and nations: Global scientific collaboration in the 21st century
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Executive summary ....................................5Recommendations ......................................8The Advisory Group ..................................10Conduct of the study .................................11Introduction: going global ........................14Part 1: Scientific landscape in 2011 .........15
1.1.1 Emerging scientific nations .........................19 1.1.2 Assessing research quality and impact .....24 1.1.3 Global scientists ...........................................26 1.1.4 Brain gain, drain and circulation .................26 1.1.5 Disciplinary shifts? ........................................28 1.1.6 Reading the research ...................................29 1.1.7 Opening access ............................................30
............................32 1.2.2 Patent growth ...............................................33
1.3.1 Securing prosperity and staying competitive ......................................35 1.3.2 Addressing global challenges .....................36 1.3.3 National science in a global age .................36
1.5 A new world order? ...........................................411.6 The world beyond 2011 .....................................42
2.1.1 Collaboration in a national context .............47 2.1.2 Who is collaborating with whom? .............49
2.2 Regional collaboration .......................................54
2.3.1 Seeking excellence ......................................57 2.3.2 The benefits of joint authorship ..................59 2.3.3 Capacity building through collaboration ....61 2.3.4 The geopolitical potential of scientific collaboration .................................62
2.4.1 Tapping into the global networks of science ......................................................63
2.5 Enabling collaboration to promote excellent science ................................................64
2.5.1 Technology....................................................64 2.5.2 Funding mechanisms ..................................67
Contents
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