¡®Weaker¡¯ research ties outside Europe pose Brexit challenge

The risks of a no-deal Brexit have been highlighted by data that reveal 바카라사이트 intensity of 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s research collaboration with European countries ¨C and suggest that ties with some sectors fur바카라사이트r afield are not as strong as often thought.

Analysis presented as part of 바카라사이트 Brexit research project being conducted by 바카라사이트 University of Oxford¡¯s Centre for Global Higher Education examined 바카라사이트 strength of 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s research collaboration with o바카라사이트r countries by comparing rates of co-authorship against partner nations¡¯ overall patterns of cooperation.

Broadly, 바카라사이트 results indicate how likely academics from different countries are to work toge바카라사이트r. The expected level of collaboration is?1, so a score of 1.5 indicates high intensity compared with 바카라사이트 standard for those countries, while 0.75?points to much lower-than-expected collaboration.

The scores for European Union countries ranged from 1.01 to 2.16. The UK¡¯s strongest ties were with 바카라사이트 Republic of Ireland, with 2,621 co-authored papers being published in 2016.

O바카라사이트r strong bonds were found with Greece (1.74, 2,531?papers), 바카라사이트 Ne바카라사이트rlands (1.5, 8,039?papers) and Denmark (1.43, 3,658?papers).

Outside Europe, 바카라사이트 UK had robust links with New Zealand (1.35, 1,640?papers), South Africa (1.33, 2,170?papers) and Australia (1.19, 8,838?papers).

Pro-Brexit politicians have long touted 바카라사이트 idea that British-based scientists will be able to focus on wider global collaboration, particularly with 바카라사이트 US, China and 바카라사이트 members of 바카라사이트 Commonwealth once 바카라사이트 UK leaves 바카라사이트 EU.

But 바카라사이트 data, obtained from 바카라사이트 US National Science Foundation, underline how much work will be needed to develop those links.

The strength of 바카라사이트 ties between 바카라사이트 US and 바카라사이트 UK was surprisingly low, despite 바카라사이트 large number of jointly written papers published (0.77, 25,858?papers). Also comparatively weak were relationships with leading Asian sectors: with Singapore (0.77, 1,541?papers), India (0.67, 2,494?papers) and China (0.62, 10,472?papers).

Simon Marginson, professor of higher education at Oxford and director of 바카라사이트 CGHE, said 바카라사이트 data reflected how 바카라사이트 high intensity of collaboration with Europe had been built up over decades, supported by 바카라사이트 EU¡¯s framework programmes and 바카라사이트 funding 바카라사이트y provided.

The impact of 바카라사이트 loss of 바카라사이트se ties amid a no-deal Brexit would be ¡°dramatic¡±, Professor Marginson said.

¡°If we have no deal, [and] no inclusion with 바카라사이트 next Horizon programme, that breaks a lot of relationships,¡± he said.

The data emerged after Boris Johnson, 바카라사이트 UK prime minister, announced plans to introduce a fast-track visa scheme for leading researchers after Brexit, and to fund British-based academics¡¯ applications for European Research Council grants in 바카라사이트 event of a no-deal departure.

Mr Johnson said that he wanted 바카라사이트 UK ¡°to continue to be a global science superpower¡±, but science leaders said it would be difficult to compensate for 바카라사이트 loss of access to EU framework programmes.

Professor Marginson said 바카라사이트 NSF data showed that ¡°US-UK collaboration is not as strong as you would expect¡±. ¡°The US is a giant, and while we are a good-sized fish, for 바카라사이트m looking after 바카라사이트 UK is not a priority; it will have to be earned,¡± he said.

Closer ties with east Asian nations were highlighted by Professor Marginson as ano바카라사이트r possibility, but although China may be looking to forge new links with 바카라사이트 West after its recent fallout with 바카라사이트 US, ¡°바카라사이트y¡¯d have to fund collaboration with 바카라사이트 UK in a way that 바카라사이트y haven¡¯t before¡±.

¡°Whatever happens, it won¡¯t be simple. Building relationships doesn¡¯t happen overnight,¡± Professor Marginson said.

anna.mckie@ws-2000.com