Mobility of researchers – policy, models and data

Mobility of researchers is increasingly becoming a prioritised focus of science, technology and innovation policies. In a European context there is a longstanding objective in enhancing transnational mobility within the research community, increased mobility being seen a vital instrument to achieve an improved integration of research systems. More recently however, mobility of qualified scientists and engineers from universities and other research institutions into the business world has increasingly been seen as having to major effect that are beneficial for the interaction between the business and research systems. Increased inter-sectorial mobility is seen as an important instrument for transferring scientific expertise to companies and to build up their wider research capabilities. This will allow, it is argued, companies to react more effectively to rapidly changing technology, and to more efficient outsourcing of research activity. Enhanced mobility will - especially from business to the research institutes - lead to increased awareness of and attention to business needs and opportunities. Jointly these two outcomes of increased inter-sectorial mobility will lead to improved interaction between industry and academia, leading to more efficient and effective social utilisation and adaptation of science.