The Collaborative Era in Science by Caroline S. Wagner

Author:Caroline S. Wagner
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9783319949864
Publisher: Springer International Publishing

Small-Scale Properties Within the Global System

The global network grew—at least in the early 1990s—as individual scientists chose to link together. As the network expanded and stabilized, the more elite the scientist, the more likely he or she is working at the global level. Well-known scientists tend to work with each other across institutional and political boundaries. This makes sense in a self-organizing networked environment operating under rules of preferential attachment. As a scientist becomes better known, more people want to work with him or her. As more people contact the rising star or elite scientists, the star can be more selective when choosing with whom to cooperate. As an experiment is designed, a researcher chooses among collaborators; she or he will want to choose one who complements her or his own knowledge, as well as one who is not going to add to social obligations beyond those to the science itself. The reputation of the collaborator will also be important, particularly if the two researchers have not worked together in the past. Efficiency, complementarity, and reputation will be important in forming a team.

In addition, the more well-known scientists become in their chosen areas of research, the more likely it is that others from far afield will seek to connect. As this happens, new ideas are shared and spread, even if a formal collaboration does not result from a communication. Geographically distant collaborators can offer significant benefits in terms of reduced social demands as compared to people who are nearby. Geographical distance can actually improve outcomes and enhance efficiency because it can reduce social obligations. More subtly, the research project does not need to continue past its usefulness to both parties. In short, international research projects can be easier to start and certainly easier to dissolve than dealing with close associates. As a result, distance can actually increase efficiency, and distant connection can provide high scientific value in terms of diversity and creativity.

Indeed, we often see that research networks grow with the least social encumbrance at the global level. Social and administrative pressures that might impinge on people working within a physical laboratory are absent at the global level. There is less need to navigate personal relationships in forming a collaboration. There may be no lab director or branch chief to meddle with team organization. No global ministry of science coordinates practices at that level. In sum, there are few if any political pressures present to bias choices for collaborators. Very few organizations offer funding for globally collaborative teams. With the exception of the EU , few government agencies offer funding for international cooperation. The motivations for connecting at the global level—in early days—are almost all prestige driven. This dynamic drives up the value of a researcher’s time, and thus it increases the likelihood that the rising star or elite scientist will choose to work across international lines—usually with other elite scientists similarly pushed up the vortex of recognition and prestige by the dynamics of preferential attachment.

International collaboration in science presents a dilemma.

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