Open AccessMy Precious! The Location and Diffusion of Scientific Research: Evidence from the Synchrotron Diamond Light Source
Author(s) -
Helmers Christian,
Overman Henry G.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
the economic journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.683
H-Index - 160
eISSN - 1468-0297
pISSN - 0013-0133
DOI - 10.1111/ecoj.12387
Subject(s) - diamond , synchrotron , productivity , distribution (mathematics) , diffusion , economic geography , data science , business , engineering physics , physics , geography , economics , computer science , optics , materials science , economic growth , mathematics , mathematical analysis , composite material , thermodynamics
We analyse the impact of the establishment of the Diamond Light Source synchrotron, a large basic scientific research facility in the UK, on the geographic distribution of related research. To account for the potentially endogenous location choice of the synchrotron, we rely on the availability of a ‘runner‐up’ site. We use data on academic publications to trace the geographic distribution of related scientific inputs and outputs. Our results suggest that proximity to Diamond had a positive impact on the output of related research. This proximity effect appears to be driven by an increase in inputs rather than the productivity of scientists.