The dark side of mobility: negative experiences of doing a postdoc period abroad

摘要

Empirical studies of negative effects or experiences of mobility are rare, if any. To better understand what research mobility is about, both positive and negative effects should be noted. This study attempts to analyse examples of less successful experiences in addition to the range of positive experiences that normally occur as the result of mobility. A sample of Swedish scholars who had earlier been on a postdoc stay abroad have answered a questionnaire that targeted experiences and effects from the postdoc stay. Some 10% to 20% faced negative effects as result of their postdoc stay abroad. Most often, these negative experiences related to the homecoming and the process of transferring their knowledge to the department or the research team upon their return. Routines for incorporating the new knowledge which they bring are sometimes weak, as is the interest from colleagues in what the postdoc scholar has learnt.