Exploring the Strategies of Scientific Long-Term Mobility

This study explores the strategies of long-term mobility among researchers in social sciences and humanities. Long-term scientific mobility is viewed as a crucial component of collaboration, enabling the exchange of knowledge, professional growth, and skill enhancement (Saxenian, 2006). It contributes to both individual career development and national innovation by promoting "brain circulation" (Markova, Shmatko, Katchanov, 2016). Researchers who engage in long-term mobility act as connectors between global and national scientific communities, facilitating knowledge transfer and international partnerships (Johnson, Regets, 1998). However, mobility is often associated with challenges such as career uncertainty, loss of social connections, and difficulties in adapting to new academic environments, especially in fields where local social context is vital for research, like the social sciences and humanities (Courtois, Sautier, 2022; Pajić, 2015).

This study used a mixed-methods approach to assess the career implications of long-term mobility. Researchers were categorized based on their mobility strategies. "Distant workers" maintained remote or hybrid contracts, experiencing minimal career disruption. However, not all researchers successfully implemented this strategy, with some returning to their previous roles. "Tied movers," on the other hand, struggled with skill gaps and often viewed mobility as a detriment to their career, with many seeking retraining or return to their home country (Kotsemir, Dyachenko, Nefedova, 2022). The study also revealed differences based on career stage: early career researchers benefited from mobility, gaining opportunities and advancing their positions, while leading scientists faced more challenges, including limited job opportunities and organizational regression (Petersen, Shaw, 2002; Flowerdew, Li, 2009). The findings suggest that while long-term mobility offers numerous professional advantages, it also presents risks, particularly for established researchers. The study highlights the need for tailored strategies to support researchers at different career stages in leveraging mobility to enhance their professional trajectories.