A Study on the Trend of Domestic Mobility and Evolution of Chinese Researchers

中国科研人员国内流动态势及演进研究

Abstract

Purpose/significance］With the promotion of the strategy of 'strengthening the nation through human resource development', there has been a serious loss of scientific researchers in central and western universities in China, which led to the further structural imbalance in mobility regions. The paper aims to analyze Chinese researchers' current mobility trend and characteristics and provide a reference for talent absorption and management in some regions and institutions. ［Method/process］The ORCID dataset, publication data from WoS and institutional name data from multiple platforms were used as data sources, which were connected and normalized using rule-based and machine learning techniques to reconstruct the profile of Chinese researchers using data mining methods. Then, from the perspectives of mobility scale, mobility frequency and mobility patterns, the study analyzes the characteristics and trends of domestic mobility among Chinese researchers. Besides, the study examines the trends of talent mobility in various regions and the "new first-tier" cities after China's reform and opening by providing an in-depth analysis of Chinese researchers' mobility evolution. ［Result/conclusion］In general, the mobility of Chinese researchers is vast, but it is not frequent; the "siphon effect" of talents in "double first-class" universities coexists with competition for talents; regional mobility of researchers is unevenly distributed, with "new first-tier" cities and most regions of China having a high level of mobility, whereas northeastern and central China are experiencing severe brain drain problems. Based on these findings, this paper provides countermeasures for establishing a virtuous cycle of talent cultivation in a multidimensional collaboration of "national-local-university" as a means of further implementing the strategy of strengthening the country with talent, conducting twinning and supporting projects, improving the research environment, and enhancing the treatment of talents.