Behind every breakthrough in science and technology are the people who make it happen. As debates on AI dominate the headlines, it is critical to ask whether our societies can mobilise the necessary human talent needed to address their main challenges? Much remains unknown about the research and innovation (R&I) workforce. We do not have a precise idea of who contributes to R&I and who could effectively contribute, and there are many questions about how talent is nurtured and circulates across organisations and countries. For example: Are countries producing enough PhDs for future industries? Are work conditions deterring people from research careers? Are mobility barriers limiting collaboration?
The ReICO hub aims to help answer some of these complex questions. It provides a unique evidence base combining statistical, research and policy data to support better decision-making on R&I careers and talent. The ReICO hub is one of the initial results of a joint initiative of the OECD and the European Commission with support from the EU Horizon Programme that puts the spotlight on the role of human talent in contributing to scientific and technological progress through research and innovation. Building on the OECD’s long-standing expertise in science and technology indicators, ReICO adopts a comprehensive approach to describing national R&I systems. It offers a wide range of statistical indicators that capture key dimensions of R&I careers, complemented by contextual information on national policies. This helps users explore trends, identify gaps across countries, and better understand the data in context.
