‘Borderless’ working essential for UK’s researchers

Having the freedom to move internationally and collaborate in other countries is crucial for research and innovation, according to two surveys of the UK’s top scientists.

The first survey included more than 1,000 Fellows and grant recipients from the UK’s four national academies – The Royal Society, British Academy, Academy of Medical Sciences and the Royal Academy of Engineering. Of those queried, 95% were most likely to travel to Europe and 90% said they would collaborate with scientists there. Almost two-thirds of respondents said they had spent a year or more working abroad, with 95% of those asked involved in at least one international collaboration during the last five years.

Professor Sir Robert Lechler, President of the Academy of Medical Sciences, said: “This work shows research is a truly international endeavour. The ability to forge collaborations and to access talent across the globe is vital to ensure that the UK remains at the forefront of research and innovation.”

This sentiment was backed up by a separate survey of 1,285 UK-based scientists carried out by the Royal Society. It found that 80% of non-UK national researchers in the UK were from the EU or North America. The most common nationalities were American, German, Italian and Spanish.

Almost three quarters of UK-based scientists across different disciplines and career stages said they had trained or worked abroad. After reviewing several academic studies the Royal Society found that the UK greatly benefits from receiving a wider supply of a highly-qualified skill force. International research also boosts scientists’ country of origin as many return home bringing skills and experience with them.

Venki Ramakrishnan, President of the Royal Society said: “The UK is a global scientific powerhouse, which makes us an attractive destination for researchers worldwide. We must work hard to keep barriers for incoming and outgoing researchers and their dependents at a minimum, so that ideas can grow across borders and benefit science as a whole.”