The Rise of International Research Collaboration

From large-scale global venutres to to one-on-one projects between faculty in different countries, international research collaboration is on the rise. Publications with authors from multiple countries are cited more frequently and more likely to be published in prestigious journals. And while international research by individual faculty is nothing new, cross-collaboration has become increasingly possible and now plays a greater, more important role in internationalization efforts.

The advent of collaborative technology, as well as an amplified recognition of the cross-border nature of some of the world’s most pressing issues—such as global health and climate change—are partly responsible for the uptick in international research. Many universities now track and map out how and where their faculty are engaged abroad, which allows them to focus their investments and publicize their global reach.

In addition, senior international officers and international offices are playing a greater role in promoting international research, attracting international scholars, and defining how international research fits into the overall internationalization agenda.

The Growth of International Research Collaboration

A combination of new opportunities and new pressures has led to an increase in international research collaboration, says Laura Rumbley, associate director of the Boston College Center for International Higher Education (CIHE).

“That’s true not only for individual institutions, but also for entire countries and systems of higher education,” she says. “We see a lot of impetus for collaboration because there are big questions around the world that may require a lot of different perspectives to come up with meaningful solutions. We are also seeing