Mapping the global flow of computational communication science scholars

ABSTRACTThis study examined scholar distribution and mobility in the field of computational communication science (CCS). Two kinds of international mobilities in the educational stage (from bachelor education to PhD education) and occupational stage (from PhD education to current affiliation) were analysed at country levels. Social network analysis showed that the global knowledge production of CCS is still dominated by the Global North, especially the U.S. The two mobility patterns have the potential to contribute to Westernisation and brain circulation. The results from mixed models show that some origin and destination country variables can predict scholars’ mobility decisions.KEYWORDS: Scholar mobilityglobal knowledge flowbrain circulationcomputational communication sciencesocial network analysis Disclosure statementNo potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).Additional informationNotes on contributorsJingjing YiJingjing Yi(M.A. Syracuse University) is a Ph.D. student at the School of Journalism and Communication, Chinese University of Hong Kong. Her research interests include affects on social media, media psychology, and media entertainment.Wanjiang Jacob ZhangWanjiang Jacob Zhang (M.A. Wuhan University) is a Ph.D. student at the School of Journalism and Communication, Chinese University of Hong Kong. His research interests include computational social science (CSS), computer-mediated communication (CMC), social network analysis, and social time.