Local Researchers, Local Problems

30 Pages Posted: 25 Jun 2023

See all articles by Caroline V. Fry

Caroline V. Fry

University of Hawaii at Manoa - UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII - Shidler College of Business; Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

Date Written: June 14, 2023

Abstract

What role does a scientist's location play in their research agenda? Several studies have documented that a location can affect scientific productivity, but it can also expose scientists to new ideas which can lead to a shift in their research agenda. In this paper I investigate if a scientist's location shapes their research agenda by examining the extent to which migrant biomedical scientists shift their research towards diseases prevalent in their host country following a move. Using publication data on scientists moving in and out of African countries, I find that migrant scientists do tend to research diseases prevalent in their host countries after a move, particularly when moving into Africa from outside the continent. These findings suggest that greater equality in terms of the distribution of scientists around the world can influence the direction of scientific
research.

JEL Classification: O01

Suggested Citation

Fry, Caroline V., Local Researchers, Local Problems (June 14, 2023). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4478977 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4478977

Caroline V. Fry (Contact Author)

University of Hawaii at Manoa - UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII - Shidler College of Business ( email )

2404 Maile Way
Honolulu, HI 96822
United States

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) ( email )

77 Massachusetts Avenue
50 Memorial Drive
Cambridge, MA 02139-4307
United States

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