Geopolitical Tensions: Impact and Trajectory of Canada-China Research Collaborative Publications

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Friday 11:40 am Four Seasons Ballroom 4
  In Roundtable Session: Global and Comparative Perspectives in Higher Education (Table 10)

Abstract

This study conducts a bibliometric analysis of co-authored publications to examine trends in research collaboration between China and Canada from 2012 to 2023, through Web of Science records. Using Social Cognitive Theory, our analysis highlights the impact of geopolitical tensions and research security concerns on academics and broader China-Canada research relationship. Our findings reveal a decline in collaborative partnerships, adversely affecting Canada’s research growth and funding, which had benefitted from cooperation with China. Furthermore, we discuss the significant implications of this trajectory for Canada’s science and engineering areas, as well as for Canadian researchers of Chinese origin. In doing so, we outline the sensitivity of international research collaborations, and emphasize the need for strategic and balanced policy responses.

Authors

• Ya Xuan Wang, York University

• Qiang Zha, York University