Volume 13 - Issue 75

/ March 2024

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http:// www.amazoniainvestiga.info ISSN 2322- 6307

DOI: https://doi.org/10.34069/AI/2024.75.03.30

How to Cite:

Shapoval, A. (2024). Challenges and opportunities in the creative productivity of scientists and the demographic composition of

science. Amazonia Investiga, 13(75), 359-368. https://doi.org/10.34069/AI/2024.75.03.30

Challenges and opportunities in the creative productivity of scientists

and the demographic composition of science

Виклики та можливості для творчої продуктивності науковців та демографічного складу

науки

Received: February 8, 2024 Accepted: March 27, 2024

Written by:

Anton Shapoval1

https://orcid.org/0009-0000-8032-351X

Abstract

The article confidently explores the broadening of

the demographic contingent of science. Since the

end of the twentieth century, the problems of

attracting the younger generation to science,

studying international cooperation of scientists and

migration patterns in science have become relevant

issues. Also important are the issues of the

influence of interdisciplinary education on

obtaining breakthrough scientific results,

determining the impact of the favorable scientific

environment on the productive work of a scientist,

the problems of inclusiveness of the scientific

environment and the expansion of racial and ethnic

representation in science. It is shown that although

academic mobility of scientists is globally viewed

as a process of internationalization of science,

which contributes to the dissemination and

exchange of knowledge and ideas, and the growth

of scientists' productivity. However, given that in

certain contexts mobility is associated with the loss

of human resources in science, it should be viewed

as a complex political problem of attracting and

retaining scientists. This problem is exacerbated in

times of military conflicts and socio-political

crises. It is emphasized that despite the usefulness

of scientists using the benefits of Open Science and

participating in international research projects,

attention should be paid to national and regional

problems that require scientific support.

Keywords: Gender identity in science, mentors in

science, people with disabilities in science, science

of science, science-sociological aspects.

Анотація

В статті розглядається розширення демографічної

контингентності науки. З кінця ХХст.

актуальними питаннями стають проблеми

залучення молодого покоління до науки,

вивчення міжнародної співпраці вчених та

міграційних потоків в науці. Також важливими

стають питання впливу міждисциплінарної освіти

на отримання проривних наукових результатів,

визначення впливу сприятливості наукового

середовища для продуктивної праці вченого,

проблем інклюзивності наукового середовища та

розширення в науці расового та етнічного

представництва. Показано, що хоча академічна

мобільність вчених в глобальному плані

розглядається як процес інтернаціоналізації

науки, що сприяє поширенню та обміну знаннями

та ідеями, росту продуктивності вчених. Проте

зважаючи на те, що в певних контекстах

мобільність пов’язана з втратою кадрового

потенціалу науки, її слід розглядати як складну

політичну проблему залучення та утримання

науковців. Загострюється ця проблема в періоди

воєнних конфліктів та соціально-політичних

криз. Підкреслюється, що незважаючи на

корисність використання вченими переваг

Відкритої науки, участі у міжнародних наукових

проєктах, слід приділяти увагу національним,

регіональним проблем, які потребують наукового

забезпечення.

Ключові слова: Гендерна ідентичність в науці,

наставництво в науці, люди з обмеженими

можливостями в науці, наукознавство,

соціологічні аспекти науки.

1

Ph.D., Senior researcher, Center for Humanitarian Education of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine.

WoS Researcher ID: KIG-0181-2024

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Introduction

In the modern world, scientific knowledge and

innovative technologies are the basis for

competitive advantages in social and economic

development. Intensifying activities in the field

of science is a top priority for societies seeking to

ensure a comfortable life for current and future

generations. In the complex and multifaceted

system of science, the human element is clearly

the most important factor. Attracting talented

young people, increasing labor efficiency, and

creating a favorable environment for creativity

are urgent issues that demand immediate

attention.

Reflection on the productivity of scientific

activity is typically carried out using methods

from science studies, philosophy, sociology, and

the history of science. Demography methodology

is also utilized to study the productivity of

scientists based on age and gender. Bibliometric

indicators determine the productivity of a

scientist, the effectiveness of research teams, and

the impact of scientific journals. Although all

these results were useful for understanding the

functioning of science, their practical use for

management purposes, especially without taking

into account the context, turned out to conceal

risks and harm the development of science. The

intensification of globalization processes in

science, the formation of networked forms of

cooperation and communication among

scientists, and the transformation of scientists’

work due to the use of information and

communication technologies have led to changes

in the understanding of professional problems of

scientists. Scientific cooperation and migration

flows are recognized as factors that intensify

scientific work and facilitate the exchange of

ideas. Open Science concepts and practices are

actively being developed and disseminated.

Young people are being engaged in science

through innovative forms, and citizen science

projects are being utilized to promote

inclusiveness and interaction with society. This

expansion is attracting new subjects to scientific

activity.

The purpose of this article is to analyze the

transformation of the demographic contingent of

science and its relation to promoting openness

and inclusivity in scientific development. It

specifically addresses the challenges of engaging

young people in science, with a focus on

Ukraine.

Literature Review

The most important works on the topic of this

article are those by F. Znaniecki (1940),

R. Merton (1968; 1984), and H. Zuckerman

(1977). These works remain highly relevant

today and clearly explain the essential features of

scientists’ professional activity, including the

performance of relevant functions within the

scientific team and strict adherence to the norms

of scientific ethos.

Back in the 40s of the XX century C.W. Adams

(1946) stated that scientists achieve remarkable

results in their younger years. His study of 4204

scientists found that the median age for their

most outstanding achievements was 43 years old.

Furthermore, 9% of these achievements were

obtained before the age of 30. Young people are

the most productive in science. This is because

many scientists move on to administrative work

after gaining recognition, leaving them with less

time for scientific research. The history of

science is also marked by tragic fates, such as

E. Galois who created the theory of groups at the

age of 20. If he had not died a year later, he could

have potentially achieved even more significant

results at a more mature age. G. Lemen arrived at

similar conclusions. Lehman (2017) stated that

researchers tend to reach their peak scientific

productivity and make their most significant

discoveries around the age of 35-40. Therefore,

it can be concluded that age has a significant

impact on scientific productivity, and researchers

should aim to make their most significant

contributions during their peak years.

Additionally, renowned Ukrainian scientists

demonstrated that the productivity versus age

graphs is nearly identical for the USA, Germany,

Italy, and the USSR. According to research, the

most productive researchers are typically

between the ages of 35 and 40, after which there

is a gradual decline (Dobrov & Smirnov, 1972).

S. Kanazawa tried to prove this. He analyzed the

biographies of 280 scientists and concluded that

the age distribution curve of scientists at the time

of their greatest scientific contribution in their

careers is similar to similar graphs of the genius

of musicians, artists and the age distribution of

criminals at the time of committing a crime. In

addition, marriage has a strong influence on both

crime and genius. Kanazawa argues that this is

because both crime and genius stem from a

developed psychological mechanism in men that

makes them active and competitive in early

adulthood, but this ability is ‘switched off’ when

they marry and have children (Kanazawa, 2003).

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However, Kanazawa's explanation only

considers general psychological aspects and fails

to acknowledge the multifaceted roles of a

scientist, such as performing curatorial functions

and training scientific staff. Such activities take

up a lot of time, which may reduce individual

productivity, but the overall benefit to science

will increase.

Methodology

The article takes an analytical approach to

examine the literature on scientists' productivity

and their demographic indicators. In order to

ensure the quality and impartiality of the

findings, the author compared the analytical

conclusions with information from reputable

institutional sources. Specifically, the article

analyzed information from international

organizations dealing with universal science

development issues such as OECD and

UNESCO, as well as statistical and analytical

data from Ukrainian institutions like the Ministry

of Education and Science of Ukraine and the

Ukrainian Institute of Scientific and Technical

Expertise and Information. Additionally, the

article utilized sources focusing on specific

issues, such as STEM women and eLife

magazine's "Sparks of Change" project, which

highlights neurodivergent researchers.

The utilization of analysis, synthesis, and

comparison techniques has illuminated the

characteristics and heuristic potential of various

approaches for identifying demographic issues

within the scientific community and assessing a

scientist's creative output while considering their

correlation with the principles of epistemology,

praxeology, and politics. For instance, research

has demonstrated that in contemporary

interdisciplinary science focused on problem-

solving, a scientist's productivity is more closely

linked to multidisciplinary education and

affiliation with top universities than with age-

related factors. The underrepresentation of

women in STEM fields and the engagement of

youth in scientific pursuits continue to be

pertinent issues. During societal change and

upheaval periods, safeguarding the scientific

community's human resources becomes

imperative. While participating in international

academic mobility typically enhances research

productivity, in the current globalized landscape,

it is evolving into a political endeavor aimed at

attracting and retaining researchers.

The analytical problem-solving approach has

enabled the identification of new dimensions for

broadening the demographic representation in

the field of science, including their potential

opportunities and challenges. Specifically, the

principles of openness and inclusivity in

scientific advancement necessitate the

incorporation of considerations regarding the

underrepresentation of racial and ethnic groups,

as well as scientists with disabilities, into

traditional approaches for shaping personnel

policies within the scientific community.

Results and Discussion

A scientific discovery is a unique event that

signifies the emergence of new scientific

knowledge and the formation of a new scientific

direction or paradigm. The discovery

demonstrates the ingenuity of its creator, who

was able to uncover something previously

unknown to others. Productivity, measured by

the number of publications in influential journals,

may correlate with the author’s experience,

skills, competencies, activity, and diligence.

Each scientific work involves formulating novel

provisions, but more often it involves clarifying,

analyzing, classifying, or typologizing obtained

facts, interpreting previously known but perhaps

not explicitly expressed knowledge, and

reviewing existing literature. In other words,

scientific discovery and the number of

publications, even if widely cited, are distinct

phenomena. The first is an event, while the latter

provides information about the research and its

results. Therefore, analyzing the demographic

contingent of science and its impact on a

scientist’s creative productivity cannot be limited

to age-related dimensions. The article should

cover topics such as the participation of young

people in science, migration patterns, the

influence of the scientific environment on

productivity, and increasing racial and ethnic

diversity in the field.

Issues with determining a scientist’s

productive age

It is important to note that all of the studies on the

productivity of scientists mentioned above are

based on data from the first half of the

XX century. However, studies that used data

from the late XX century have produced different

results. For instance, O.S. Vashulenko,

O.P. Kostritsa, and O.S. Popovych analyzed the

list of scientific publications of 118 full members

of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine,

as well as several dozen doctors of sciences who

are not members of the Academy. They

discovered that scientists are most active in terms

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of publication at an average age of 55-65, which

is 20-25 years later than in the first half of the XX

century. The study analyzed chronological

indicators of printed works and found that the

most cited works were published between the

ages of 55 and 59. The authors suggest that

changes in the nature of scientific work and in

science itself over the past half-century require

adjustments to the management of research

teams and personnel policy in science. It is

important to utilize the experience and

knowledge of older generations to train young

scientists (Vashulenko et al., 2019).

The study by G. Yair and K. Goldstein confirms

the uneven productivity of scientists and the

presence of peaks of creative activity, known as

‘year of miracles’ (from Latin Annus Mirabilis).

However, the researchers suggest that some

scientists may experience multiple peaks.

Productivity levels can be influenced by

administrative factors, such as position and

availability of a favorable creative environment

(Yair & Goldstein, 2020).

The conclusions presented are based on a

longitudinal study conducted by M. Kwiek and

W. Roszka. The study aimed to determine

whether scientists can maintain a consistent level

of productivity throughout their careers.

Productivity was defined as the number of

publications in high-impact journals. The study

found that the majority of researchers maintain a

relatively constant level of productivity

throughout their careers. Highly productive

associate professors tend to maintain their

productivity or become equally productive

professors. Similarly, highly productive

professors typically do not experience a decline

in productivity with age. Therefore, a

researcher’s productivity should be considered a

stable characteristic when making hiring

decisions, as suggested by Kwiek and Roszka

(2023).

Methodological approaches can explain certain

contradictions in the interpretation of the

productive age. The productivity of a scientist is

commonly measured by quantitative indicators

such as the number of publications, citations, and

h-index. Therefore, the conclusions of

C.W. Adams, S. Kanazawa, G. Yair,

K. Goldstein, M. Kwiek, and W. Roszka may

appear contradictory at first glance. The first

three works suggest that scientists have a most

productive period, while M. Kwiek and

W. Roszka found that individual scientists tend

to have stable productivity. To reconcile these

seemingly contradictory findings, it should be

noted that C.W. Adams analyzed the age of

scientists who made outstanding discoveries,

while M. Kwiek and W. Roszka considered

quantitative indicators of labor results, such as

publications.

A. Krauss’ study is noteworthy for its analysis of

the demographic and professional characteristics

of scientists who have made significant

contributions to science and received recognition

for their achievements. Krauss analyzed the

biographies of scientists who received 750 of the

most important scientific achievements,

including Nobel Prize winners and those

recognized as outstanding. Krauss concluded that

there are ‘shifts’ in science towards

interdisciplinary education, obtaining

outstanding achievements at an older age, and

being located in leading universities (Krauss et

al., 2023).

Although the history of science has seen many

great discoverers who only graduated from high

school, such as Faraday, Tesla, and Dalton,

today’s outstanding achievements are

increasingly being made by scientists with

interdisciplinary scientific education. While

modern science is becoming more specialized,

most scientists still have knowledge in a narrow

field. However, A. Krauss found that the

majority of Nobel Prize-winning discoveries

(54%) were made by scientists who had received

two or more degrees in different academic fields.

Additionally, since 2000, over 70% of all

discoveries have been made by scientists with

dual degrees. It is important to note that

disciplinary differences exist. Interdisciplinary

collaborations yield outstanding results more

frequently in medicine and biology, accounting

for 69%, compared to only 39% in physics

(Krauss et al., 2023).

Science is becoming concentrated in a few

centers, leading to concerns of elitism. For

instance, the top 25 ranked universities produced

30% of all discoveries, including those

recognized as outstanding and Nobel Prize-

winning. Additionally, five elite universities -

Cambridge, Harvard, Berkeley, Chicago and

Columbia - account for 16% of all Nobel Prize-

winning discoveries (84 discoveries in total). The

period of greatest productivity has shifted to the

age range of 35-45 years, while the period during

which a scientist receives recognition for their

work has also become longer (Krauss et al.,

2023). However, one aspect of science has

remained unchanged: the low representation of

female discoverers. Women account for only 5%

of all scientists who have made a major discovery

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and only 3% of all Nobel laureates. Nevertheless,

there is a positive trend, with more than half of

all female Nobel laureates having received the

prize since 2000 (Krauss et al., 2023).

These transformations emphasize the

significance of having adequate resources for

modern science, including finance,

instrumentation, equipment, opportunities for

skill improvement and expansion, and the

development and maintenance of

communication. Additionally, there is a

persistent need to eliminate barriers to research

opportunities, particularly in STEM fields, for

women (Stem Women, 2023).

The challenge of attracting early career

researchers

A crucial issue of our time is the recruitment of

young talent in science. This is not due to the

older generation losing their position as active

researchers, as demonstrated above, but rather

because modern societies require more

researchers with diverse specialties who can

solve the problems of the contemporary world for

innovative economic development.

Jean-Luc Simard, Rabeya F. Omar,

Maurice Boissinot, and Michel G. Bergeron,

Canadian researchers, highlight the worldwide

decline in high school students’ interest in

science, regardless of gender. To address this

issue, it is crucial to create scientific programs

and activities that will motivate young people to

pursue careers in science. The leading role in

attracting the next generations of scientists

should belong to research centers. To achieve

this, the authors presented the Researcher for a

Day programme, which offers high school

student’s immersive days in microbiology

laboratories. This programme has already helped

more than 4,000 young people who are

considering a career in science to choose a career

in science. Similar approaches could be applied

in various settings to expand efforts to promote

science among young people (Simard et al.,

2019). The ‘Researcher for a Day’ project aims

to encourage youth participation in science by

highlighting its significance for social

development and addressing challenges. The

project offers young people the chance to gain

valuable experience in a research laboratory,

where they can learn from skilled professionals

and work with advanced technologies. Scientists

have the opportunity to share their passion for

science with young people and demonstrate how

to conduct research in a highly competitive sector

that demands extensive knowledge and

interdisciplinary skills. It is important to spread

such programmes widely and introduce young

people to the problems prevalent in their region.

These programmes should convey to them that

they have the potential to become scientists and

solve these problems, thereby improving their

lives.

The decline in student interest in science,

technology, engineering and mathematics

(STEM) and related professions is a global

concern (OECD, 2018). Science-based solutions

and knowledge-intensive technologies are

required to address complex challenges such as

climate change, epidemic threats, and achieving

the Sustainable Development Goals. Therefore,

there is a need to increase the number of STEM

specialists. The proportion of STEM graduates in

European higher education institutions has

remained at 26% for a considerable period of

time. This figure is deemed inadequate to meet

the human resource requirements for knowledge-

intensive economic and social development

(Drymiotou et al., 2021). The reasons for the

reluctance to pursue a career in science are varied

and include informational, cognitive, social, and

motivational factors. Due to the complexity of

the problem, it is suggested to utilize career-

oriented programmes in education to familiarize

oneself with the specifics and opportunities of

STEM activities. These programmes should use

a problem-based approach that includes scientific

practices, exposure to the real creative

environment of scientists, and informal

communication with researchers. This will

enable students to expand their knowledge of

careers in science and form an attractive image of

them.

For Ukraine, the problem of scientific human

resources is extremely acute. Between 1990 and

2020, the number of researchers working in

research and development decreased by a factor

of 6.1 (Kuznetsova, 2020). However, the global

trend is the opposite and is characterized by an

increase in all indicators that determine the state

of scientific and technological potential. Ukraine

declares its European integration intentions, but

today it lags far behind the EU countries in the

main characteristics of its scientific and

technological potential: investment in research

and development as a percentage of GDP in the

EU countries is on average 2.26% of GDP, in

Ukraine - 0.29% in 2021, 0.33% in 2022

(Pysarenko & Kuranda, 2023). At the same time,

the EU’s strategic goals are to reach 3% of GDP

in R&D investment. Instead, Ukraine is one of

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the few countries in the world that is reducing

research expenditure as a percentage of GDP

(UNESCO, 2021). The average number of

researchers per million inhabitants in the EU is

4,069, while in Ukraine it is 988. This means that

Ukraine lags four times behind the EU in terms

of human resources, and the national research

intensity of GDP is almost seven times lower

than the average value of this indicator in the EU.

The human resource potential of Ukrainian

science is facing a crisis, and its decline due to

natural factors will persist even if the number of

young people entering scientific institutions

stabilizes. This issue is exemplified by the state

of the human resource potential of the National

Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, which is the

main scientific organization in Ukraine.

Researchers note that the human resource’s

structure is characterized by a low proportion of

young people, which will contribute to the

continued decline in numbers. It is important to

note that this evaluation is objective and based on

research findings. Even with active measures to

increase the annual inflow of young people by

10%, the decline will only be slowed down, but

full stabilization will not be achieved. Therefore,

the decline in numbers will continue at least until

2030. An increase in youth recruitment to 15%

could enhance the human resources potential of

academic science by 2025. A 20% increase may

bring the revival a couple of years closer

(Popovych, & Kostrytsia, 2020, p. 30).

It is important to note that the article referenced

was published in 2020, prior to the war period.

As a result, it does not consider the complexities

of the wartime situation for objective reasons.

The field of science and innovation experienced

significant losses during the war, which had a

major impact on personnel, infrastructure, and

the functioning of its entities. Approximately

15% of the research infrastructure was damaged,

including unique scientific equipment, facilities,

research laboratories, and centers for collective

scientific equipment use. The impact of the war

on the scientific sphere and the conditions for

researchers and academic staff to carry out their

professional activities has resulted in a decline in

scientific human resource potential. The situation

is particularly challenging for young scientists.

According to information collected by the

Ministry of Education and Science, over 5% of

young scientists working in higher education

institutions have relocated from Ukraine to other

countries. The situation is even more concerning

in academies of sciences, where 43% of young

scientists have left Ukraine for other countries

(MES of Ukraine, 2023, p. 44).

In Ukraine, there are various forms of state and

institutional support and encouragement for

young scientists. These include the Presidential

Award for Young Scientists, the Verkhovna

Rada Award for Young Scientists, and the

Cabinet of Ministers Award for Special

Achievements of Young People in the

Development of Ukraine. Grants are available

from various sources to support research by

young scientists in Ukraine. These include grants

from the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine,

Nominal Scholarships from the Verkhovna Rada

of Ukraine for young scientists who hold a

Doctor of Sciences degree, and Research Projects

from the National Academy of Sciences of

Ukraine for young scientists. Additionally,

research laboratories/groups of young scientists

can apply for grants from the National Academy

of Sciences of Ukraine. However, this extensive

list of measures aimed at supporting young

scientists does not fully solve the staffing

problem. These actions are only temporary and

local, and their effects are also temporary and

local.

It is essential to establish a society where

knowledge and human capital are recognized as

the foundation of economic and social prosperity.

Science, as a knowledge system and professional

field, is highly valued because it serves as the

basis for the development of knowledge-

intensive innovative technologies. Therefore,

what is required is not just individual support

measures, but the creation of a culture of

scientific and innovative thinking in society.

It is important to note that for young people

entering the field of science to develop as

professional researchers, they require a team of

scientists from different generations to learn

from. This team should possess experience,

traditions, scientific ethos and ethical principles

that are shared and form the necessary academic

atmosphere for creative activity. Collaboration

between young and experienced scientists

contributes to scientific progress and career

development.

Mobility’s impact on scientist productivity

The internationalization of science is often

associated with the mobility of scientists, which

facilitates the dissemination and exchange of

knowledge and ideas, and enhances their

productivity (Verginer & Riccaboni, 2021).

According to the OECD (2017), mobility is a

crucial factor in the circulation of knowledge

worldwide, which contributes to the competitive

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advantage of developed knowledge economies.

However, if mobility involves the exchange of

knowledge, ideas, and professionals and is a

positive factor, we should not dismiss the

problem of brain drain. This occurs when some

countries gain scientific human capital while

others lose it, and there may also be difficulties

in adapting scientists to new conditions, etc.

(Robinson-Garcia et al., 2019).

The mobility of scientists should be considered a

complex political issue of attracting and retaining

scientists. China has a successful track record in

this area, with an open-door policy for foreign

scientists and repatriation programmes for its

compatriots. Furthermore, research indicates that

repatriates are actively engaged in working,

publishing highly cited papers, and playing a

crucial role in maintaining China’s connections

with the global scientific community (Cao et al.,

2019).

Based on the results of the network analysis,

Chinese researchers draw conclusions about the

emergence of a trend of multicentric mobility in

science. In the past century (1921-2020), an

increasing number of countries have participated

in the global mobility of scientists. While the

United States, the United Kingdom, and

Germany were previously the primary

destinations for scientists worldwide, China,

India, and other countries have emerged as

significant hubs for sending and receiving elite

scientists (Cao et al., 2019). Thus, the contingent

of science is expanding by involving more and

more countries from different regions in global

migration processes.

To highlight the intricacy of developing

scientific capacity in China, it is worth noting the

particular emphasis on youth science education

(Wang, 2021). Over the past few decades,

numerous national and regional programmes

have been implemented to enhance the scientific

literacy of young individuals. Additionally, the

China Association for Science and Technology

(CAST) has made significant strides in this field.

Mobility in science facilitates the exchange of

ideas and increases productivity. However,

migration can have both positive and negative

consequences. Migration processes can

significantly alter the scientific landscape,

especially during times of war and social

transformation. For instance, during the Second

World War, many prominent scientists were

forced to leave Germany, resulting in a

significant change in its scientific landscape for

many years.

Currently, such processes are taking place in

Ukraine. Researchers have identified several

periods based on the motivational factors that

influence scientists’ migration decisions. The

development of scientific migration from

Ukraine can be divided into three stages. The first

stage (1991-2012) was motivated by economic

factors and the pursuit of stability. The second

stage (2013-2021) saw more frequent moves for

academic cooperation and financial support for

research. The third stage (2022-present), which

occurred during the full-scale war, was driven by

a sense of insecurity and the inability to continue

professional activities in Ukraine. It is

noteworthy that many scientists who have left do

not plan to return home. The availability of

numerous international grants and support

programmes and job offers facilitates the

migration of Ukrainian researchers

(Karmadonova, 2023). This highlights the need

for systemic government measures to encourage

the return of Ukrainian scientists and create

favorable living and working conditions in their

home country.

The role of the environment in enhancing a

scientist’s productivity

Science is a collaborative endeavor, and the

traditions of the scientific community, including

mentoring, scientific schools, and invisible

colleges, are of great importance. In this context,

the work of Weihua Li, Tomaso Aste, Fabio

Caccioli, and Giacomo Leban is significant as it

examines the long-term impact of co-authorship

with well-known, highly cited scientists on the

careers of young researchers. Research has

shown that junior researchers who co-author with

leading scientists have a competitive advantage

throughout their careers compared to colleagues

with similar early career achievements but no

well-known co-authors (Li et al., 2019). This

highlights the significance of teamwork,

particularly for young researchers. It is important

to note that this is just one aspect of the

interaction between scientists of different

generations. To address the demographic issue in

science, an environmental or ecological approach

should be prioritized over individual acts of

support. R. Florida suggests creating a cultural

climate that is favorable to the life and work of

the creative class, which includes scientists. This

climate should be characterized by tolerance,

diversity, and openness to creativity (Florida,

2002).

Undoubtedly, Open Science should be utilized,

and participation in international and European

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research projects is necessary, as science is a

global phenomenon with universal

achievements. However, national and regional

issues require scientific support. Society expects

science to solve its most pressing problems, and

scientists, as members of the national

community, want to see the benefits of their

research in the development of their own

country.

Once again, attention is drawn to China as a

scientifically advanced country. In 2006, China

launched the Medium- and Long-Term Plan for

the Development of Science and Technology

(2006-2020), demonstrating its commitment to

developing science and technology to lead the

country to a leadership position. The plan aimed

to achieve five goals: turning China’s population

dividend into a talent dividend, transitioning

from a ‘made in China’ to an ‘invented in China’

model, prioritizing the development of

‘software’ over ‘hardware’, attracting human

capital over foreign capital, and transitioning

from an investment to an innovation model of

development. The plan prioritizes talent

development as its primary objective. To achieve

this, national talent development programmes

have been established across various sectors, and

a policy has been developed to further employ

talented young professionals (Cao et al., 2019).

Building an inclusive research culture

The broadening of the demographic contingent

of science is a turn towards diversity and

inclusion, in particular in addressing the

professional problems of neurodivergent

students, researchers or staff with disabilities.

The latter can be seen as a remarkable

phenomenon in the academic sphere, as science

has always tried to find ways to deal with

neurodiversity and to conduct research on

neurodiverse people. Instead, the process of their

inclusion in the professional community is

currently underway. One example is the Sparks

of Change project launched by the journal (eLife,

2023). Sparks of Change is a space for

highlighting stories of how an inclusive research

culture is developing, or should develop. In

particular, the project features a series of articles

by neurodivergent scientists talking about their

own research experiences, the challenges they

face, the opportunities they have to overcome

them, and the benefits of inclusion for science.

This is important because it is estimated that

around 15-20% of people are neurodivergent.

They may have talents and competitive

advantages due to unusual skills, such as

exceptional abilities in pattern recognition,

mathematics and good memory (Austin &

Pisano, 2017). Uyen Vo notes that the

establishment of safe spaces is urgently needed

to provide validation and solidarity for

neurodivergent scientists, allowing them to

thrive and contribute their unique perspectives to

the field of science (Vo, 2023).

In recent years, there has been active discussion

about the underrepresentation of racial and ethnic

groups in science. The issue is often due to

language barriers faced by racial and ethnic

minority PhD students, limited interaction with

teachers before starting their postgraduate

studies, and discrimination. To overcome these

challenges, it is necessary to take special

measures. For instance, Johns Hopkins

University (USA) organizes a symposium on the

‘hidden curriculum’ to assist new students from

underrepresented groups in preparing for

postgraduate studies. This includes providing

information on admission requirements and

practical advice on how to meet them. In

addition to providing information about graduate

school admission requirements, students are

given detailed information about various

university resources. These include tutoring

services offered by peer study groups,

supplemental notes and materials, and practice

exams. The university also offers

accommodations for people with disabilities, and

students are advised on how to report violence

(Edwards et al., 2022).

Conclusions

The principles of scientific institutions, the

interaction of scientists, and the relationship

between science and society are changing due to

globalization processes, the spread of

information and communication technologies,

and the formation of network ties.

The demographic contingent of the scientific

community is expanding due to various factors.

These include the extension of productive

periods, allowing scientists to remain productive

for longer periods of time, the use of academic

multicentric mobility and interdisciplinarity,

which can increase scientific productivity and

lead to breakthrough discoveries, and the

development of a favorable environment for

creative work. Additionally, the principles of

inclusive research culture are being introduced in

science, leading to an expansion of racial and

ethnic diversity.

At the same time, attracting young people to

science is becoming a challenge. Therefore, it is

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increasingly important to search for innovative

projects that can develop scientific talents among

young people, create a culture of scientific and

innovative thinking in society, and enhance

human capital. Supporting interdisciplinary

education and research is crucial for solving the

social development challenges faced by

humanity.

The prospects for further research lie in the

analysis of international cooperation among

scientists and the activities of international

organizations dealing with science as factors in

the transformation of the demographic

contingent of the scientific community.

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