Dive Brief:
- In an effort ot capitalize on a possible perception among researchers that the U.S. isn't currently an attractive location to work, countries worldwide are making sizable investments to attract foreign scientists, according to Inside Higher Ed.
- Great Britain has committed £100 million to such an effort, while Canada is investing CA$100 million — and Royal Society of Canada President Maryse Lassonde says many American researchers are considering taking opportunities in Canada, with the promise of more funding providing an additional incentive.
- However, some researchers in these countries are aggravated that so much money is being spent on attracting foreign researchers when there are already those struggling to compete for limited open spots in a difficult employment environment, with France, for example, investing in attracting foreign researchers while simultaneously cutting budgets for university research.
Dive Insight:
Though reports have varied, there is some evidence to indicate that President Donald Trump's policies and some of the rhetoric currently at play in American politics has already had an impact on higher ed institutions. About 40% of universities reported a drop in the number of applications from international students at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Confusion surround the H1-B visa may also contribute to students and researchers being reticent to conduct their work on American soil.
Colleges and universities are facing challenges on several fronts. First, they must try to advocate for continued state and federal support for research facilities. Some federal funding was endangered by Trump's proposed budget earlier this year, and college administrators and school leaders must try to impart on their representatives that research funding and facility maintenance is necessary to continue attracting premier talent.
Higher ed institutions must also commit more resources to conducting outreach with hesitant researchers around the globe. If there are research prospects who are less committed to an American university in the months after Trump's inauguration, institutions should try to access legal counsel who can speak about the rights the visiting researcher would have. Additionally, as attracting international talent continues to be challenge, colleges could invest more effort in reaching out to students and researchers from previously underrepresented student and employee populations. The demographics of public researchers have diversified somewhat in recent years, but colleges may be able to find researchers within the country who can benefit from a stronger focus.