Empirical Evidence on Integrity in International Research Collaborations

The benefits and promise of international research collaborations have contributed to their expansion in recent years.  In some fields, global research, in one form or another, is now the norm.  However, cross-national work can involve complications that may not be readily anticipated, and some institutions' enthusiasm for international collaborations outpaces their experience in and readiness for dealing with potential problems.

When problems arise in international collaborations, they are often attributed to cultural differences or language-based misunderstanding.  Not enough attention has been paid to national differences in research systems and the ways in which these differences may give rise to challenges to integrity.  The most salient national differences are in the organization and funding of science, legal and regulatory issues, and graduate and postdoctoral training.

This presentation is based on data from 10 focus groups and 61 additional interviews with scientists who are involved in cross-national scientific collaboration.  It also draws on the presenter's recently co-edited book on international research collaborations.