Geographical proximity and scientific collaboration

An investigation of intra-national university-university collaboration in Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom using this technique demonstrates that research cooperation decreases exponentially with the distance separating the collaborative partners.

Abstract

Geography, economic, socio-political and language are considered to be factors that effect the level of research collaboration. However, to-date no technique has been developed to isolate the effect of geographical proximity from the other factors. This paper presents a methodology for specifically examining geographical effects on intra-national scientific collaboration. An investigation of intra-national university-university collaboration in Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom using this technique demonstrates that research cooperation decreases exponentially with the distance separating the collaborative partners.