On June 23, the Beijing Institute of Talent Development Strategy released the Global Top Scientists Mobility and Collaboration Report 2026. The report shows that a total of 7,131 leading scientists moved among the world's 50 most active cities for scientific mobility. With 450 mobile scholars, Beijing ranked second globally, demonstrating robust momentum in international research cooperation.

Intercity mobility and collaboration among top scientists

[Photo via Elsevier]

This report is based on global research data from Elsevier's Scopus database. It systematically analyzes the cross-regional mobility of leading scientists over the past two years, mapping mobility patterns across continents, countries, cities and academic disciplines, along with the academic collaboration networks formed during such mobility.

The data shows that Asia attracts the largest inflow of top-tier talent worldwide. Among Asian cities, Chinese cities are more active in global research collaboration. Ten Chinese cities were included among the world's top 50 cities for top scientists' mobility: Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Nanjing, Hangzhou, Guangzhou, Wuhan, Shenzhen, Chengdu, and Xi'an.

(Source: Beijing Daily)