Academic Mobility, Transnational Capital and Career Advancement: Evidence from China’s Changjiang Scholar Program?

• In Event: How Does Mobility Change Researchers, Research Groups And Scientific Communities? (II)

Abstract

Academic mobility and associated transnational capital have long been championed as positive and worthy of supporting. Yet little attention has been paid to the catalyst role, if any, of transnational capital on researchers’ career advancement. And if so, in which direction. Built upon the curriculum vitae of 1462 Chang Jiang Scholars, we examine the relationship between academic mobility and the speed of obtaining prestigious academic titles measured by post-PhD time lag and age when granted with national prestigious title. Our results suggest that the catalyst role of transnational capital on career advancement varies by the types of overseas experiences. Surprisingly, all else being equal, returnee scholars tend to obtain national academic title within a longer time period compared to the locals. This penalty of transnational academic mobility also holds for returnees with only overseas PhD training experience. Yet this liability can be turned into premium when combined with other types of overseas experience. In addition, the premium of working at alma maters suggests that strong intramural networks can accelerate scholars’ career development.

Authors

• li tang, Fudan University

• Feng Li, Hohai University