Summary information
Study title
Brain Drain Debate in the United Kingdom, c.1950-1970
Creator
Balmer, B., University College London, Department of Science and Technology Studies
Godwin, M., University College London, Department of Science and Technology Studies
Gregory, J., University College London, Department of Science and Technology Studies
Study number / PID
6099 (UKDA)
10.5255/UKDA-SN-6099-1 (DOI)
Data access
Restricted
Series
Not available
Abstract
Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.
This qualitative project sought to provide an analysis of the 'brain drain' debate of the 1950s and 1960s as a social phenomenon.
The term 'brain drain' was adopted in the 1960s in the context of concerns the United Kingdom was losing skilled scientific and engineering personnel to other countries. Although the term is used in a variety of academic, policy and popular discussions about the international mobility of scientists, this project sought to rectify the absence of scholarly literature analysing the original 'brain drain' debate.
The dataset comprises of 19 oral history interviews with scientists and engineers who emigrated to the United States or Canada in the 1950s or 1960s as well as British policymakers involved in any way in the 'brain drain' debate at this time. Also included is the transcript of a 'witness seminar' that brought officials and former emigres together to discuss their recollections.
Further information on the dataset is available at the project's web site or ESRC funding award web page.
Main Topics:
Scientific migration; brain drain; popular science; engineering; cold war.
Topics
Keywords
Methodology
Data collection period
01/02/2006 - 30/04/2006
Country
Canada, United Kingdom, United States
Time dimension
Cross-sectional (one-time) study
Analysis unit
Individuals
Cross-national
Universe
Scientists and Civil Servants who participated in the 'brain drain' debate concerning skilled migration in the 1960s.
Sampling procedure
Purposive selection/case studies
Kind of data
Text
Data collection mode
Face-to-face interview
Telephone interview
Also includes a witness seminar (panel discussion)
Funding information
Grant number
RES-000-22-1375
Access
Publisher
UK Data Service
Publication year
2009
Terms of data access
The Data Collection is available to UK Data Service registered users subject to the End User Licence Agreement.
Commercial use of the data requires approval from the data owner or their nominee. The UK Data Service will contact you.
Related publications
Not available