Working Paper: NBER ID: w18809
Authors: Paula Stephan; Chiara Franzoni; Giuseppe Scellato
Abstract: We analyze the decisions of foreign-born PhD and postdoctoral trainees to come to the United States vs. go to another country for training. Data are drawn from the GlobSci survey of scientists in sixteen countries working in four fields. We find that individuals come to the U.S. to train because of the prestige of its programs and/or career prospects. They are discouraged from training in the United States because of the perceived lifestyle. The availability of exchange programs elsewhere discourages coming for PhD study; the relative unattractiveness of fringe benefits discourages coming for postdoctoral study. Countries that have been nibbling at the U.S.-PhD and postdoc share are Australia, Germany, and Switzerland; France and Great Britain have gained appeal in attracting postdocs, but not in attracting PhD students. Canada has made gains in neither.
Keywords: PhD; Postdoctoral Training; Foreign-Born Students; International Mobility; Higher Education
JEL Codes: F22; J24; J61
Edges that are evidenced by causal inference methods are in orange, and the rest are in light blue.
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| prestige (D46) | choice of the United States for PhD training (I23) |
| career advancement opportunities (J62) | choice of the United States for PhD training (I23) |
| lifestyle factors and exchange programs in other countries (I25) | choice of the United States for PhD training (I23) |
| family considerations (J12) | choice of the United States for PhD training (I23) |
| attractiveness of the U.S. (F59) | choice of the United States for PhD training (I23) |
| lack of adequate fringe benefits and working conditions in the U.S. (J32) | choice of the United States for postdoctoral training (I23) |
| prestige of U.S. institutions (I23) | choice of the United States for postdoctoral training (I23) |