Research partnerships face geopolitical obstacles
Influenced by geopolitical tensions and growing sentiment against diversity and inclusion initiatives, the landscape of international research is undergoing significant change.
The changes are particularly visible in scientific collaborations between the US and China, where political friction and the COVID-19 pandemic have led to a marked decline in joint research efforts. This trend is worrisome, say experts in the scientific community, because it significantly hinders the ability of researchers to collaboratively address global challenges such as climate change, pandemics and food security.
A recent analysis by Springer Nature – a German-based academic publishing company – highlights this decline in research collaborations. The study, using data from research analytics tool InCites, found that in 2022, the total number of co-authored papers by Chinese and international researchers fell for the first time since 2013.
This decline is largely due to a significant reduction in joint publications with US researchers, a trend that has been exacerbated by policy actions, including the US Department of Justice’s China Initiative, enacted under the Trump administration. Although the initiative ended in 2022, experts note that it left a lingering climate of fear and caution among researchers, especially those of Chinese origin, further stifling a renewal in collaboration.
Furthermore, a survey of over 700 universities worldwide found that geopolitical tensions have led to a dramatic disruption of global research links, particularly in Europe and North America. Over half of the universities in these regions reported limiting partnerships due to new government regulations or on their own initiative. Concerns about knowledge security, particularly in relation to China, have driven these changes, with universities taking proactive measures to protect sensitive information.
Despite these challenges, some international research efforts are ongoing, driven largely by students and faculty from South Asia. According to research by HolonIQ – a global market intelligence platform – foreign enrollment in the US could double from roughly 1.3 million students to around 2.8 million by 2034, with India playing a crucial role. The researchers note that this increase underscores the importance of maintaining open international research partnerships and fostering a diverse academic environment.
Recognizing the importance of international teamwork in advancing scientific discovery, the Association of American Universities (AAU) recently established the United States-India Expanding University Partnerships Task Force, which aims to identify key areas for bilateral collaboration. By leveraging existing programs such as dual faculty appointments and student exchanges, AAU hopes to expand future efforts. This includes the creation of the IndoU.S. Global Challenges Institute – a virtual network of Indian and US universities that promotes collaborative research.
“[The institute] will facilitate high-impact research collaborations in areas such as semiconductor technology and manufacturing, sustainable agriculture and food security, sustainable energy and the environment, health equity and pandemic preparedness, and critical emerging technologies,” said AAU President Barbara Snyder , JD, when the Task Force announced in late 2023.
Although India will play a major role in enhancing the United States’ international scientific partnerships, AAU and other institutions are also working to build research collaboration with a number of other nations. For example, the goal of the University Partnership for Workforce Advancement and Semiconductor Research and Development (UPWARDS) for the Future project, led by the University of Washington (UW), is to innovate semiconductor and chip technology and develop a skilled based in the US. workforce within the industry through international cooperation.
Announced at the G7 meeting in Japan in May 2023, UPWARDS for the Future brings together researchers and faculty from the US and Japan, with significant investment from industry giants Micron Technology and Tokyo Electron Limited, along with the National Science Foundation and universities of different. Over $60 million is being poured into this five-year project, underscoring its critical importance.
UPWARDS for the Future prioritizes expanding the STEM talent pipeline to include underrepresented groups in the semiconductor industry. The first cohort of UPWARDS professors, all women, will participate in high-impact research projects and industry-led mentoring programs. These efforts are part of the UW’s broader mission to close the STEM gender gap and create pathways for historically underrepresented groups, including rural and tribal communities.
“We are proud to be part of this innovative partnership and lead the NSF grant for UPWARDS,” UW College of Engineering Dean Nancy Albritton, PhD, said in a press release. “As the leading educator of engineers in Washington state and as a leader in chip engineering and workforce development for the global innovation economy, it is an honor to work collaboratively with academic and industry partners to drive advances in this crucial area.” scientific.
While these efforts illustrate the potential for cross-continental teamwork, the broader context of geopolitical tensions and anti-diversity sentiment remains a significant obstacle. Experts claim that restrictive policies and a persistent climate of fear resulting from geopolitical rivalries can drive talent away from certain countries and fields, leading to a “brain drain” and a loss of valuable talent. This can result in countries prioritizing domestic interests over international cooperation, making scientific research more nationalistic.
As initiatives such as the AAU and UPWARDS for the Future partnerships strive to renew and diversify research, successes within this space are important to highlight, promote and support as they counter xenophobic and nationalist ideas. Balancing national security concerns with the need for global cooperation will be critical for the U.S. to continue progress in advancing technologies and global scientific research.●
