Essays on the very invisible college : global science and African participation

Abstract

Despite globalization, innovative activities remain concentrated in a handful of high-income countries. Leveraging knowledge and resources in these locations through ties in the global network presents opportunities for emerging economies. This dissertation consists of three essays studying the role of international ties in the development of scientific capacity in sub-Saharan Africa. Each chapter helps to uncover a different feature of the way in which, and the scope by which, international ties impact African science, and ultimately facilitate technological catch-up and economic growth. Chapter 1 is an introductory chapter, and chapters 2-4 are specific research applications. Chapter 2 explores the value of international relationships to African scientists leveraging a unique opportunity afforded to some scientists to develop these relationships: the 2014 Ebola epidemic. Chapter 3 studies the spillover impact of the return home of American trained scientists to African institutions. Chapter 4 explores a macro-association between foreign knowledge stocks and African scientific productivity.