International connections in research

As academic research collaboration across borders continues to expand, economic and reputational benefits increase. That is the essence of this Global Networks Amplify Local Controversies article. However, the amplification of local questions is the inevitable flip side of the benefits that come from cross-border collaboration. As an example, what happens when a United States publicly-supported university is criticized for the number of international scholars on its faculty? Or, what if the findings of cross-border research end up critiquing one of the collaborator's home country stance on social justice issues? The more active research is pursued across borders, the more likely local issues can suddenly emerge under the international spotlight.