Islands of Innovation as Magnetic Centres of Star Scientists? Empirical Evidence on Spatial Concentration and Mobility Patterns

Michaela Trippl (1)

1 Institute for Regional Development and Environment

Drawing on the results of a world-wide survey of 720 'star scientists' this paper seeks to analyse and compare the role of islands of innovation in the United States and Europe in providing educational and employment opportunities for such stars and in attracting internationally mobile members of the scientific elite. It is shown that the US and to a lesser extent European islands of innovation are at the forefront when it comes to producing (i.e. educating) and employing star scientists and exchanging them with other places. Furthermore, the paper provides evidence for the formation of a network among islands of innovation based on international movements of the best and brightest scientific minds.

Mots clés: Social Sciences & Humanities

Domaines: Science politique

Michaela Trippl. Islands of Innovation as Magnetic Centres of Star Scientists? Empirical Evidence on Spatial Concentration and Mobility Patterns. Regional Studies, 2011, pp.1. ⟨10.1080/00343404.2011.556613⟩. ⟨hal-00680012⟩