Science and the city

Covid-19 might reroute global career networks, but cities will remain central, says Luca Verginer

The global nature of modern research is well understood. Scientific collaborations take place across cities, countries and continents, and it is not uncommon for a researcher to start their PhD in one country, relocate to another for a postdoctoral position or a visiting period, and settle in a third.

But scientific work also depends on physical proximity. Face-to-face interactions and serendipitous encounters are essential ingredients in fostering the cross-fertilisation of ideas and improving the dissemination of knowledge. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that while science happens at a global scale, cities still play a crucial and central role in shaping collaborations and careers.