Work Experiences and Mobility

Section Overview

This study examines scientists’ work experiences during COVID-19 and visa-related travel restrictions in 2020. Responses on this page are part of a larger survey on visa and immigration impacts on higher education with additional topics covering policy impacts and impacts on scientific workforce.

Question

In the past 12 months, have you experienced any of the following? (N=368)

Finding

Slightly more than one-third of scientists have experienced some difficulties with their research due to visa issues over the past 12 months:

• About 36% of scientists have experienced some delays in project activities due to visa issues.
• About 35% of scientists said that they were unable to visit research partners in other countries.
• About 33% of scientists said that collaborating international scholars have canceled or postponed their visit due to visa issues.

Question

In the past 12 months, have you experienced any of the following? (N=368)

Finding

While general experiences are similar for US citizens and non-US citizens, a higher proportion of non-US citizens had negative experiences due to visa issues than US citizens.

Among respondents, a smaller percentage of US citizens (32%) than non-citizens (40%) experienced canceled or delayed visits from international collaborators.

Among respondents, a larger percentage of non-US citizens (29%) than US citizens (23%) said project activities had to be canceled due to visa issues.

Question

In the past 12 months, have you seriously considered moving to another country? (N=371)

Finding

Overall, 37% of scientists have considered moving outside of the US.

Nearly half (46%) of non-US citizens reported considering moving to another country. In comparison, 35% of US citizens have seriously considered moving to another country.

Question

Were any of the following reasons for considering moving to another country? (N=135)

Finding

More than half of scientists (61%) say a major reason for considering a move is they no longer feel comfortable in the US because of political rhetoric.

About 42% say that health and safety reasons are a major reason for considering a move to another country.

Few scientists think university policies to distance learning have anything to do with moving to another country.

Question

Were any of the following reasons for considering moving to another country?(N=135)

Finding

75 % of US citizens and 88% of non-citizens say that health and safety reasons are a major or minor reason for considering a move to another country.

60% of the non-US scientists say that visa and immigration issues are a major or minor reason for considering a move to another country.