International students are central to U.S. innovation, progress, and its ability to compete globally. The following resources illustrate the different ways in which international students contribute to science and innovation in the U.S.
- Open Countries have strong science: In this article in the journal Nature, leading researchers Carole Wagner and Koen Jonkers provide evidence to draw a clear correlation between a country’s openness to international talent and researchers (including mobility) and the strength of its science and engineering enterprise.
- Science and Engineering Indicators 2020: The State of U.S. Science and Engineering 2020: An important reference and statistical source, the National Science Board and National Science Foundation’s Science and Engineering Indicators provide a comprehensive view of science and engineering education and STEM workforce in the U.S., including a detailed analysis of the presence of international students and foreign-born workers in STEM fields.
- Losing Talent 2020: An economic and foreign policy risk that America can’t ignore: This data-based overview and useful resource, NAFSA: Association of International Educators, brings together evidence from different sources that demonstrate the value of international students (and those that become immigrants) to the future of the U.S.
- Keeping top AI talent in the United States: Findings and policy options for international graduate student retention: This in-depth 2019 research report by Remco Zwetsloot and colleagues at the Center for Security and Emerging Technologies at Georgetown University highlights the prominent role of international graduate students in the U.S. Artificial Intelligence sector. While the U.S. has been fortunate to attract and retain AI talent over the years, the report also points to immigration barriers and increasing competition from other countries that might place U.S. AI competitiveness at risk.
- Immigrants and America’s comeback from the COVID-19 crisis. This in-depth and timely 2020 analysis and report by Stuart Anderson of the National Foundation for American Policy (NFAP) documents the contributions that international student alumni and other immigrants are making to tackling the COVID-19 crisis in the U.S. The report provides compelling evidence to show America’s reliance on this talent and what is at risk due to reduced levels of skilled immigration.