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International mobility boosts scientific careers: a synthetic control analysis of Brazilian researchers

Author

Listed:
  • Leonardo Biazoli

    (Federal University of Alfenas
    Federal University of Lavras)

  • Bruna Paula Fonseca

    (Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico em Saúde)

  • Mine Çetinkaya-Rundel

    (Duke University)

  • Eric Araújo

    (Calvin University)

  • Izabela Regina Cardoso Oliveira

    (Federal University of Lavras)

Abstract

The study of the relationship between scientific output and academic mobility is crucial for the formulation of public policies in developing countries. In this article, we present an application of the generalized synthetic control method for mobile Brazilian researchers in the health and life sciences field to estimate the effects of mobility on the recognition and prestige of publications, as well as on international collaboration networks. To improve the necessary assumptions prior to implementing the synthetic control and to enhance estimation accuracy, we introduce a matching technique as a pre-selection step for the synthetic control design, pairing control individuals equivalent to treated individuals based on pre-intervention observable variables. Finally, we apply the generalized synthetic control to estimate the causal effects of international mobility on the scientific output of mobile Brazilian researchers, comparing the impact on the number of citations received, SJR, and international collaborations after the first year of mobility with their respective synthetic authors. The results suggest that international mobility leads to changes in the analyzed variables, particularly for emigrant mobile researchers. This work provides guidance on the use of synthetic control in bibliometric data. Additionally, the study offers insights for the development of science internationalization policies. The method we employed can also be applied to study the effects of international mobility in other fields of knowledge.

Suggested Citation

  • Leonardo Biazoli & Bruna Paula Fonseca & Mine Çetinkaya-Rundel & Eric Araújo & Izabela Regina Cardoso Oliveira, 2025. "International mobility boosts scientific careers: a synthetic control analysis of Brazilian researchers," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 130(5), pages 3029-3051, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:scient:v:130:y:2025:i:5:d:10.1007_s11192-025-05327-w
    DOI: 10.1007/s11192-025-05327-w
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